Georgian police conducted a significant operation in the southwestern Adjara region, resulting in the arrest of seventy-two individuals. The operation targeted a post-Soviet mafia network, commonly known as “thieves-in-law,” and was led by the Georgian authorities. Among those detained were the brothers Rezo and Piruz Tsulukidze, as reported by local media.
Interior Minister Gela Geladze announced the operation during a press conference on Monday, detailing the crackdown on the organized crime network. The operation’s focus was on individuals connected to Aslan Kobuladze, also known as “Aslan Batumsky,” who resides abroad in exile. Kobuladze has a substantial criminal history, including multiple prison sentences in Georgia and Russia, and was recently deported from Russia in 2019.
During the operation, a seventy-five-year-old woman sustained injuries, though her family claims she received a gunshot wound, a claim disputed by authorities. The Georgian police stressed that the injuries were due to glass fragments. The operation represents a continued effort by the georgian police to combat the country’s prominent mafia network.
Previous counter-mafia operations, including one in December 2025, have resulted in numerous arrests and prosecutions related to the “thieves-in-law.” These actions demonstrate a strengthened commitment from the georgian authorities to dismantle these criminal organizations. The ongoing efforts reflect a broader strategy to address organized crime within Georgia.
Topics: #arrested #georgian #police
