6 detained for connections with criminal underworld

The Georgian Interior Ministry has detained six individuals in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Kobuleti over the past several days for the membership of the criminal underworld and making contacts with ‘criminal boses to settle disputes.'

 The individuals face three to 10 years in prison as Georgia has toughened the punishment for such crimes back in 2018 to combat criminal mentality more effectively. 

The ministry reports that several of the detainees contacted Georgian criminal boss Nikoloz Purtskhavanidze, who currently lives abroad, to settle their financial dispute via phone. 

Two of the detainees were demanded to pay 8,700 Euroes [as the criminal boss decided this]. The two have experienced pressure by the members of the criminal underworld to pay the money,” the ministry said. 

 Police have confiscated mobile phones and computers through which the detainees had contact with Purtskhvanidze.