As a result of operational measures and investigative actions carried out in cooperation with the Prosecutor General’s Office, the employees of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested 7 people on charges of organizing group violence, robbery and extortion. Director of the Central Criminal Police Department, David Kiknadze, said at today’s briefing.

The evidence obtained by law enforcement officers in the criminal case established that one of the accused persons formed an organized criminal group, and developed a plan along with group members in advance to attack citizens and illegally receive material benefits through inflicting physical pain.

Members of the group created fake profiles in various social networks under the name of females, through these accounts, they contacted men and arranged meetings at pre-selected places under the pretext of getting to know each other, and attacked people who arrived at the agreed place in groups.

The defendants treated citizens with exceptional cruelty, verbally and physically assaulted them by demonstrating cold steel and sharp objects. They also illegally took possession of their money and personal belongings.

Members of the criminal group filmed the beating and humiliation of the victims on their mobile phones, after which they distributed the video footage through social networks, and continued to exert psychological pressure and extort money from the aforementioned individuals. As a result of the searches conducted by law enforcement officers, cold steel, masks, tactical equipment, as well as mobile phones and computer equipment were seized as evidence.

The investigation is underway under Articles 178, 181 and 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, envisioning the imprisonment for a term of up to 12 years.

Investigative actions continue to identify and prosecute others involved in the crime.