Georgian Interior Ministry reports decrease in crime rate in 2023 data

MIA said the last year saw an increase in the rate of solved crimes, with its investigative agencies resolving 64.87 percent of registered cases. Photo: MIA press office 

Agenda.ge, 31 Jan 2024 - 16:29, Tbilisi,Georgia

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Wednesday reported a 2023 decrease in the overall crime rate compared to the previous year. 

The body said the last year saw an increase in the rate of solved crimes, with its investigative agencies resolving 64.87 percent of registered cases.

Instances of crimes against life decreased in the yearly statistics, the Ministry said, adding 178 cases of premeditated murders and attempted murders had been reported, marking an 8.71 percent decrease from 2022. It added incidents of intentional severe bodily harm had also seen a reduction.

A decline was also observed in crimes against property, particularly in theft-related cases, including from private residences. 

Efforts to combat drug trafficking led to an increase in the detection of drug-related crimes by 20.53 percent compared to 2022, the MIA noted, adding a 7.3 percent increase has been measured in cybercrimes detection rate in the reported period. 

The body attributed the rise in registered crimes against sexual freedom and inviolability to “increased trust” in the law enforcement among victims, adding instances of forced marriage had also seen an uptick in 2023 compared to the previous year. The body said the rise had been “largely due to heightened awareness of this issue within the public”.