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Georgian, Greek Law Enforcers Detain 17 Georgian Criminals in Athens

17 members of a criminal group have been detained in Athens as a result of a joint operation between Greek and Georgian law enforcement.

This information was released by Mamuka Chelidze, Head of Organized Crime for the Main Division of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

“According to the recent information, these persons had close ties with so-called “thief-in-law” Nodar Shukakide (nicknamed Nodar Gldansky), who was detained during the special operation held in France and Greece in April,” Chelidze said.

The investigation revealed that the detainees have committed an estimated 100 various crimes on the territory of Greece. They are accused of robbery, stealing, and reselling a large amount of stolen items, plus the illegal purchase and holding of firearms.

According to Chelidze, the detained criminals face up to 20 years imprisonment.

In February, Georgia tightened the punishment for membership in criminal groups.

Any person who organizes a meeting of criminals or so called “thieves-in-laws,” or takes part in such meetings, will be punished. Where being a “thief-in-law” used to be punishable by 7-10 years imprisonment, the punishment has recenntly been increased to 10-15 years in prison. Membership in an organized criminal group is now punishable by 7-10 years in prison, increased from the previous 5-8 years.

The term "thief-in-law" first arose in the 1930s in the Soviet Union, and refer to a subculture community of "people who did not accept the Soviet regime and went into the criminal underground. 'Thief' is not a profession, but a title backed by the thieves' 'law,' or code of conduct." -RBTH

The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic is widely regarded as having had the most robust theif-in-law culture, and as the largest and most influential sector of Soviet and post-Soviet criminal networks until the early 2000s.

By Thea Morrison