On January 23, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported the arrest of five individuals linked to the criminal underworld in operations conducted in the capital, Tbilisi, and the Imereti region.

According to the MIA, the arrests were made on charges related to their affiliation with the criminal underworld, participation in criminal gatherings, support for criminal activities, seeking the assistance of a "thief in law" (crime boss), organized extortion, and joint participation in organized extortion. The Criminal Law of Georgia stipulates a potential ten-year imprisonment for the crimes committed.

The MIA revealed that the investigation exposed the active involvement of the arrested individuals in various criminal activities. One of the detainees allegedly sought help from others to settle a financial dispute for personal gain. A meeting, conducted in accordance with the traditions of the "thief in law," was held between the disputing parties. During this meeting, the defendants reportedly demanded that one of the disputants pay a specified amount to the other within a set timeframe, threatening personal retaliation in case of non-compliance.

Notably, in Georgia, "thieves in law," influential figures within the organized crime world, oversee criminal activities, mediate conflicts, and enforce their own rules within the criminal hierarchy.