4 Members of Georgian Criminal Group Detained in Athens

Police have detained 4 members of a Georgian criminal group in Athens.

Mamuka Chelidze, the head of the Main Division of 'Fighting Organized Crime, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, stated the detention operation was carried out jointly by Greek and Georgian law enforcers.

“Georgian and Greek law enforcers jointly held operative-investigative activities over three months in Athens and detained 4 citizens of Georgia,” he stated.

According to the investigation, the detainees had robbed up to 200 apartments on the territory of Greece.

Law enforcers seized various types of firearms, money and stolen items as evidence from the cars and flats of the detainees. The investigation revealed that the accused men had links with one of the so-called "thieves-in-law," known to have given the criminal group orders.

“The arrested men are accused of actions defined in articles 187, 374, 13, 45 and 98 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertain to the formation of an organized criminal group, robbery, money laundering, and illegal purchase and keeping of firearms,” Chelidze added.

The arrested men face up to 20 years in prison.

Last month, the Georgian government pledged to step up efforts in the fight against the criminal world, and to tighten punishment for members of criminal groups; especially for being a “thief-in-law.”

The proper legislative amendments, initiated by the Interior Ministry, were approved by the government and sent to Parliament.

According to the changes, any person who appears to be a member of a criminal group or a "thief- in- law", for the purpose of settling any dispute or making any decisions, or supports the criminal world, will be punished according to criminal law.

Further, any person who organizes a meeting of criminals or “thieves-in-laws”, or takes part in such meetings, will be punished.

Under the current Criminal Code, being a “thief-in-law” is punished with 7-10 years imprisonment, with the option of increasing that to 10-15 years.

Membership of an organized criminal group will see punishment of a term of 7-10 years instead of the previous 5-8 years.

By Thea Morrison