Law Enforcers Vow to Crackdown on Criminals

Prosecutor General Irakli Okruashvili, Interior Minister Giorgi Baramidze and Security Minister Zurab Adeishvili today held a joint briefing in Kutaisi regarding the operation carried out by Georgian law-enforcement agencies overnight on March 5, during which 15 so called alleged “criminal bosses” were arrested.

“We will continue the struggle against criminals. We promise to crack down on all criminal gangs,” Security Minister Zurab Adeishvili said at a news briefing on March 5.

As a result of the special operation in Kutaisi law-enforcement agencies arrested Bodo Shalikiani, an influential oil monopolist, who was elected as an MP in the Tkibuli single-mandate constituency near Kutaisi during the last November parliamentary elections. He is accused of illegal procession of arms.

Round-up operation in Kutaisi was launched on March 4, when the police failed to arrest suspected car hijackers. As a result of armed clash three policemen, one by-passer and one alleged criminal died and two policemen were injured.

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