Georgia arrests 27 in crackdown on criminal underworld VIDEO

Georgia's Central Criminal Police Department, in cooperation with the General Prosecutor's Office, has arrested 27 people in connection with the activities of the country's so-called criminal underworld, the Interior Ministry has said.

The ministry said charges have also been brought against six other suspects in absentia or while they were already serving prison sentences, Caliber.Az reports.

Among them is alleged "thief-in-law" Mamuka Chkhaberidze, who is believed by investigators to have directed the group's activities from abroad.

According to the ministry, the suspects organised criminal "underworld disputes," settled financial conflicts, engaged in extortion, and threatened victims with physical violence and murder if they refused to comply with their demands.

During searches, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones, computer equipment, firearms, and ammunition.

The investigation is being conducted under articles of Georgia's Criminal Code that carry prison sentences of up to 15 years.

The Interior Ministry also said that 343 people, including eight "thieves-in-law," have been prosecuted since the beginning of the year for crimes linked to the criminal underworld.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov