7 arrested for releasing private data, blackmail of victims

The Special Investigation Service of Georgia on Wednesday said it had arrested seven individuals for obtaining and releasing intimate data of victims, including a minor, and blackmailing their targets.  

In one case, the body said one of the offenders had obtained private photos and videos of a minor after contacting her back in May and sending her his own intimate content. The offender later sent the personal videos featuring the minor to her classmate.

Two other offenders had illegally obtained and kept intimate photographs of another victim for the purpose of blackmail, before sending them to the family member of the person, the Service said.

It also noted the other arrested offenders had been found illegally obtaining private videos and blackmailing their victims with making the files public, in attempts to extort money. 

The crime is punishable by four to seven years in prison.