Georgian police raid targets criminal underworld: crime boss killed, officer wounded

A special operation against members of the criminal underworld in eastern Georgia ended in a shootout with special forces, the Interior Ministry of Georgia announced.

52-year-old Mirza Aliyev opened fire on a special forces officer in the village of Kabali in the Lagodekhi municipality, seriously wounding him in the chest before being shot dead, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

As part of the operation, 34 people were arrested for links to the criminal underworld, while seven others — including one “thief-in-law” and two convicts — were charged in absentia.

They are accused of mediating financial disputes for personal gain and organising criminal “settlements” in Georgia. The suspects face up to 15 years in prison.

According to the Interior Ministry, searches of the suspects’ homes uncovered firearms, narcotics, and large sums of money, as well as electronic devices used to communicate with criminal figures abroad.

One of the key figures, Elmuraz Mamedov, allegedly played a leading role in organising “thieves’ meetings” where participants imposed fines or issued threats.

As part of the same operation, officers detained Davit Chubinidze, the security chief of Davit Mikadze, while Mikadze was charged in absentia for the illegal possession and use of firearms.

Deputy Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said the Interior Ministry remains committed to fighting organised crime and reducing criminal activity nationwide.

By Jeyhun Aghazada