Four arrested, 2 charged for connections with “criminal underworld”

Police have arrested four individuals and charged two in absentia for connections with and membership in “criminal underworld” and for using criminal authorities to settle financial disputes, the Georgian interior ministry said on Thursday.

Four out of the six offenders had mediated between a businessperson and “criminal authorities” living abroad to settle financial disputes for personal benefits, the state body said.

The ministry also said the Georgian “criminal authority” nicknamed Boncho had used his influence to manage and organise support for activities of individuals residing in Georgia, with the aim of extorting ₾55,000 (about $19,872) from one of the Georgian citizens who had taken a loan from a businessman. 

During a dispute over the matter, the group attempted to extort cash by threatening to kill the target and their family members, the release also noted, adding the charges meant the individuals faced up to 15 years in prison.

In an interview with Interpressnews agency on Thursday, the interior body noted 64 individuals had been charged for connections with “criminal underworld” over the last nine months, while in 2021 the number stood at 93.