02.07.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Deputy mayor and 16 other officials from the local municipality arrested on charges of embezzlement ("Officials Arrested in Kutaisi") [ID 20626]

Document(s): Open document

30.04.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Improving border security operations concerning smuggle of money, weapons, and supplies; hindering factors are corruption at border checkpoints, a general lack of resources, and obstructionism by Georgian separatists ("Country Reports on Terrorism 2006") [ID 20024]

"Georgia is improving border security operations and made efforts to close its borders to those who wished to smuggle money, weapons, and supplies, but was hindered by corruption at border checkpoints, a general lack of resources, and obstructionism by Georgian separatists. Russia's July closure of its single legal border crossing with Georgia at Verkkhniy Lars (ostensibly a temporary closure for repairs) further hampered Georgia's control over its borders. All commerce and transit from Russia into Georgia had to thus pass illegally through the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where Georgian authorities have no way to monitor or control the movement of goods and people as a result of the refusal of Russia and the separatists to permit joint monitoring of Georgia's borders between these separatist regions and Russia. Georgian internal troops carried out anti-terrorist operations in the Pankisi Gorge. The identification and safe removal of hidden weapons caches in Pankisi enabled Georgian security forces to better improve security in the area."

Document(s): Chapter 2 - Country Reports: Europe and Eurasia Overview
Full Report

09.05.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Crime boss Zahar Knyazevich Kalashov arrested; believed to have directed criminal network that laundered money ("Suspected Georgian Crime Boss Arrested") [ID 15373]

Document(s): Open document

07.04.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Police arrests Murman Pailodze, who is suspected of kidnapping US citizen Alexander Crain in June 2000; suspect indicates that ex-Interior Minister Kakha Targamadze and Russian-based ‘criminal authority’ Shakro Kalashov could have been linked to kidnapping as well ("Police Say Kidnap Suspect Held") [#48576], [ID 5962]

Document(s): Open document

15.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Police arrested person suspected to be mastermind of planned murder of parliamentarian Zurab Jguburia and chief of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz internal affairs department Anzor Margiani ("Police Claim to Uncover MP Murder Plot") [#47284], [ID 5963]

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Giorgi Gvichiani, top executive of the state-owned gas distribution company Tbilgazi, arrested on suspicions of masterminding 2002 murder of Nika Lominadze, financial manager of the electricity distribution company Telasi ("Tbilgazi Top Executive Arrested") [#45849], [ID 5964]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Official version of the death of former anti-drug policeman Gia Telia questioned by the Tbilisi-based Imedi television; officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) could be interested in killing the former policeman ("TV Story Questions MIA’s Report on High-Profile Operation") [#45836], [ID 4538]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Court of Appeals sentenced Molashvili, ex-Chairman of the state audit agency, to 8 years imprisonment because of misappropriation of money ("Court Slightly Reduces Sentence for Ex-Audit Chief") [#45839], [ID 5965]

Document(s): Open document

01.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

According to annual report by International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), South Caucasus is emerging as important transit area for drug trafficking ("Watchdog: South Caucasus Important Drug Transit Area") [#45291], [ID 5966]

Document(s): Open document

24.01.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Georgian and Abkhaz sides agree on anti-crime measures in the conflict-zone, especially in Gali district ("Tbilisi, Sokhumi Agree to Coordinate Anti-Crime Measures") [#43158], [ID 5967]

Document(s): Open document

19.01.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Experts criticise new law designed specifically to root out organised crime as too hastily-conceived to be really effective ("Georgia’s Resilient Mafia") [#42652], [ID 5968]

Document(s): Open document

08.09.2005 - Source: Prima News

Judge seriously wounded in explosion of hand grenade in Kutais' court ("A hand-grenade exploded in the Courtyard") [#36361], [ID 5972]

Document(s): Open document

23.08.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Marneuli district : 1 died and 2 others were injured after group of armed men attacked a passenger bus in Kvemo Kartli region ("One Dies in Robbery Attack in Kvemo Kartli Region") [#42680], [ID 5970]

Document(s): Open document

18.08.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Armed person who captured an employee of Rustavi 2 TV at station's studio in Tbilisi was shot dead by police after fruitless negotiations ("Police Kill Hostage-Taker in Rustavi 2 TV Office") [#42677], [ID 5971]

Document(s): Open document

21.07.2005 - Source: EurasiaNet

Georgian citizen suspected of throwing grenade at US President George W. Bush during his visit to Georgia, arrested; 1 police officer killed during arrest operation ("Suspect in Georgia confesses to throwing grenade at President Bush") [#34954], [ID 5976]

Document(s): Open document

21.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Policeman killed while trying to capture man suspected of grenade attack during visit of US president Bush in May; assailant was later arrested ("Georgian Policeman Killed In Capture Of Grenade Suspect") [#34345], [ID 5977]

Document(s): Open document

04.07.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Duisi, Pankisi gorge: 2 criminal suspects were killed and 4 local civilians and 1 policeman injured as result of shootout ("Two Criminal Suspects Killed in Clash with Police in Pankisi") [#42688], [ID 5978]

Document(s): Open document

01.07.2005 - Source: EurasiaNet

Tbilisi: Tax department head, his deputy and several other unnamed tax officials arrested on charges of abuse of power and taking bribes ("Corruption crackdown sparks Georgian cabinet reshuffle") [#33485], [ID 5979]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2005 - Source: Council of Europe - Secretary General

According to US Country Report on Terrorism for 2004, Georgia is still to a limited degree used as a terrorist transit state ("Reports from the Council of Europe Field Offices; April 2005 [SG/Inf(2005) 11]") [#34848], [ID 5980]

"52. The U.S. Department of State's Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism issued a Country Report on Terrorism for 2004, which says that the Georgian government remained deeply committed to combating international and domestic terrorism during 2004. However, Georgia is still to a limited degree used as a terrorist transit state."

Document(s): Open document

13.04.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Violent organized crime had become a real danger; many major routes through the country could not be used by ordinary citizens for fear of kidnapping or robbery ("Uncertain Torture Reform") [#31109], [ID 5981]

"By 2003, corruption had reached endemic proportions. It was practiced broadly throughout the public and private sectors and often appeared to be protected by interested state bodies. It had severely disabled an economy already weakened by armed conflict and instability and was frustrating government efforts at poverty reduction. It was also frustrating efforts at building a state based on rule of law, undermining the legitimacy of the judiciary, and trust in law enforcement agencies.

Similarly, violent organized crime had become a real danger in the country. Many major routes through the country could not be used by ordinary citizens for fear of kidnapping or robbery. Lawlessness was particularly prevalent in and around the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the Pankisi Valley, and there were persistent reports of police involvement in kidnappings and other forms of organized crime."

Document(s): Open document

01.02.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Car explosion outside police department in Gori in which 3 policemen were killed classified as terrorist act ("Georgian Police Targeted on Smuggling Faultlines") [#43271], [ID 5982]

Document(s): Open document

19.01.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Kvemo Kartli region: Clash occurred between Financial Police and group of local residents of Vakhtangisi village after police seized goods, which allegedly was smuggled from Azerbaijan ("Police Clash with ‘Smugglers’ in Azeri-Populated Kvemo Kartli") [#43458], [ID 5983]

Document(s): Open document

12.01.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

5 persons who are suspected of murdering British citizen in Tbilisi on December 2, 2004, arrested by police ("Suspects Arrested in British Citizen Murder Case") [#43453], [ID 5984]

Document(s): Open document

12.2004 - Source: Human Rights Center

In spite of improved US rating regarding Georgia`s combat of trafficking, little changes in trafficking conditions; men and women are usually trafficked to Russia, Turkey and Greece ("One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Human Rights in Georgia after the “Rose Revolution”") [#27594], [ID 5985]

For a documentation of individual cases please refer to the original document

"Summary on human trafficking

[...] On June 15 2004 the US State Department made a report, which stated that Georgia moved to Tier 2 from Tier 3 given its achievements in combating trafficking. This success is less a consequence of significant changes in the Georgian legal system nor trafficking conditions in the country. Rather, external actors like the U.S. have an interest in making Georgia look good.
The previous government adopted the amendment on trafficking in the criminal code of Georgia. The Anti-Trafficking unit of the Interior Ministry (that was established in March of 2003 based on the demand of International and national organizations/NGOs) has been cancelled. Even more, the Plan of Action (combating against trafficking) approved by the former government has not been implemented by the new government. It should be mentioned as well that there are no rehabilitation or legal services for the victims of Trafficking.
[...]

Trafficking in Georgia

In the parlance of human trafficking, Georgia was a “tier 3” country, meaning the worst possible record, where trafficking flourishes and is not obstructed, until the middle of last year. This is not because huge numbers of people are trafficked in Georgia, but rather because the government does little or nothing to stop it. Last year, Georgia’s status was upgraded to “tier 2”, which had less to do with significant changes in the Georgian legal system or trafficking conditions in the country, and more to do with outside countries like the U.S. not wanting to make Georgia look bad.
According to Marc Hulst, representative of the IOM (International Organization for Migration) in Georgia, the Georgian government tends to react to interest in specific issues raised by other countries, especially regarding human trafficking, as the lack of coordination between government agencies and the lack of incentive to act means that legislative and/or enforcement action is driven mostly by complaints rather than by independent governmental initiative. Currently, trafficking is addressed both by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior, which has a specific countertrafficking department.
For obvious reasons, reliable statistics on illegal human trafficking are difficult to obtain. It is known that most people being trafficked are women, who are often forced into prostitution. However, men are also victims of trafficking. In fact, more men than women are trafficked from Georgia into Russia, primarily to work as migrant laborers. Turkey and Greece are also frequent trafficking destinations for Georgian men. Greece is especially popular as a destination for Georgians seeking employment abroad because a relatively large diaspora population already lives there.
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

2004 - Source: Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center

Report on organised crime in Georgia (concept, history, structure of the community, legal methods for combating organised crime) ("Professional Crime in Georgia (Thieves in the Law)") [#46893], [ID 5987]

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2003 - Source: Civil Georgia

According to the Ministry of Interior reports on the grave crime situation in the north-western mountainous region of Svaneti are exaggerated ("Interior Minister Downplays Crime in Svaneti") [#15760], [ID 5988]

Document(s): Open document

21.08.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Abkhazia: hazelnuts farmers assaulted by local criminals, being robbed of their entire harvests and left with no income for the rest of the year ("Abkhazia: Lucrative Farms Attracts Mafia") [#15361], [ID 5992]

Document(s): Open document

14.08.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

60% of the crimes committed against foreigners not reported ("Monthly Bulletin 6-7 (52-53), July 2003") [#15071], [ID 5989]

"The International Union “The Center for the Defense of the Rights of Migrants and Foreign Citizens” asked
President Shevardnadze for the improvement of the criminal situation in Georgia.
In its letter to the President, the International Union states that the various crimes (grave and especially grave
crimes) against foreign citizens, such as encroachment upon the life, health, freedom and dignity, have been
experienced frequently in the country during the past several years which has made Georgia a “country of
cannibals” in the view of the world society. In addition, the facts of kidnapping for ransom are being in
common and take place more frequently."

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2003 - Source: Freedom House

There is a strong consensus in Georgia that corruption has become a major obstacle to political and economic development ("Nations in transit 2003") [#15273], [ID 5993]

"There is a strong consensus in Georgia that corruption has become a major obstacle to political and economic development. According to the public opinion research group GORBI, 21 percent of individuals polled in 2002 considered corruption to be one of the most significant problems in the country. Corruption was second only to poverty and unemployment (22 percent). While the government recognizes the scope and urgency of the problem, it has taken no effective measures to remedy it. The problem of graft has become a central issue in political struggles, most notably during the 2002 local elections.
The government’s largest anticorruption initiative began in July 2000 when President Shevardnadze created a seven-member working group to launch a national anticorruption program. In spring 2001, the group presented its recommendations, which focused on liberalizing the business environment, improving the management of public finances, increasing the general efficiency of governance, reforming law enforcement bodies and the educational system, and tackling political corruption. Following the group’s recommendation, the government established a coordinating body under the president’s authority called the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The ACB’s purpose is to elaborate further anticorruption policies and monitor their implementation. In 2001 and 2002, the president issued decrees containing specific measures aimed at increasing transparency in key government institutions, reducing excessive government control over business, and improving the monitoring of public officials’ income and expenses. The ACB has proposed a number of specific legislative initiatives addressing the same issues.
To date, the government’s anticorruption initiatives have not produced tangible results. The goals of presidential decrees remain largely unmet, and the prosecution of corruption cases is extremely rare. However, the government’s efforts—coupled with those of the media, opposition parties, and NGOs—do serve to raise public awareness of the problem. In 2002, five high-ranking public officials (among them Bardi Khatidze, the influential head of the regional management office in the president’s chancellery) were fired or forced to resign over allegations of corruption, mainly conflict of interest or failure to declare their incomes.
Corruption is one of the most popular subjects in the Georgian media. The television program 60 Minutes, which appears on the Rustavi-2 channel, is dedicated to exposing the corrupt practices of public officials. Many NGOs also function as anticorruption watchdogs.
The root of Georgia’s problem can hardly be sought in the lack of anticorruption legislation. According to the 1997 Law on Corruption and the Incompatibility of Interests in the Public Service, high-ranking public officials (including members of Parliament, ministers, and their deputies) and members of their families may not hold positions in commercial agencies whose activities are supervised by the government agency for which the said public official works. Officials also must submit public declarations of their property and income. This requirement was extended by presidential decree to all civil servants. The administrative code also provides a reasonably good foundation for ensuring transparency in public institutions.
While opinions vary over which political leaders are personally involved in corruption, there is little doubt that the existing style of governance is largely responsible for its scope. Weak state institutions force the government to balance the interests of competing groups, including Mafia-style organized crime groups. In addition, the political and economic interests of politicians and government officials are not sufficiently divided. For example, two factions in Parliament, the Industrialists and New Rights, consist mainly of businessmen. Likewise, several close relatives of President Shevardnadze run successful businesses and are widely believed to enjoy unfair advantages over their competitors."

Document(s): Open document

08.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

Bomb attack on a police station in Rustavi on 2 August; 3 injured ("Monthly Bulletin No 8 (54), August 2003") [#15124], [ID 5990]

"Five men, wanted by the police for previous crimes, attacked a police station in Rustavi on 2 August at 14.00, detonating a bomb near the building and injuring three employees of the police Criminal Justice Department. The police returned fire, although none of the attackers was injured. Wounded police officials were taken to the Interior Ministry hospital in Ortachala. As the police declared, they have been searching for this group of criminals for a week and this was an attempt to threaten them. No one has been detained in relation to this incident."

Document(s): Open document

08.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

Trafficking recognized as criminal offence; punishable from five to 12 years imprisonment ("Monthly Bulletin No 8 (54), August 2003") [#15124], [ID 5991]

"Trafficking has been recognised as a criminal offence which means that every person alleged in trafficking will be punished. The “Law on Trafficking”, which was ratified by the Georgian Par-liament on 6 June 2003, has already come into force. According to Giorgi Gogoberidze, the Head of the Parliamentary Relations and Law Department of Justice Ministry, trafficking is considered to be trading in people, the exploitation of a person through blackmailing or deceit, forced labour or sexual exploitation of a person, putting a person in modern slave conditions and using a person for illegal transplantation. Traffick-ing is punished from five to 12 years imprisonment, but if he/she commits the same offence several times and towards several persons, it is punishable from eight to 20 years imprisonment."

Document(s): Open document

22.07.2003 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Organized crime and Mafia groups ("Reisebericht Georgien 18. - 25. Mai 2003") [#14436], [ID 5994]

"Die hohe Kriminalität, auch in der Normalbevölkerung, sei nach Ansicht des CIPDD durchaus als eine Folge der schlechten wirtschaftlichen Situation anzusehen. So werde in einigen Teilen der Bevölkerung die Meinung vertreten, dass, wenn es auf legalem Weg schon nicht ginge, zumindest mit kriminellen Aktivitäten Geld zu verdienen sei.
Nach Angaben des Gesprächspartners im Innenministerium konnten Kriminelle in der Vergangenheit mit Hilfe korrupter Minister ihrer strafrechtlichen Verfolgung häufig entgehen. Geiselnahmen stellten nach Ansicht der Helsinki Citizens Assembly das größte Problem im Zusammenhang mit dem organisierten Verbrechen dar.
Über die Bekämpfung des organisierten Verbrechens durch die Strafkammer gebe es nach Angaben der Repräsentanten des Obersten Gerichtshofs keine detaillierten Angaben. Die Justiz würde sich bei der Bekämpfung des organisierten Verbrechens erst dann einmischen, wenn diese Fälle vor Gericht gebracht werden. Bislang seien allerdings nur sehr wenige Fälle im Zusammenhang mit Korruption oder organisiertem Verbrechen vor Gericht verhandelt worden. Darüber hinaus sollen, so die beiden Gesprächspartner des Obersten Gerichtshofs, die gerichtlichen Untersuchungen in Korruptionsfällen und Fällen organisierten Verbrechens nicht „so ausgeführt worden sein, wie sie eigentlich ausgeführt hätten sein sollen“. Auch habe es bislang nur sehr wenige Verurteilungen wegen des Straftatbestands der Korruption oder des organisierten Verbrechens gegeben.
Auf die Frage, ob Personen, die in Korruptionsfällen als Zeugen aussagten, mit staatlichem Schutz rechnen könnten, wies man beim Obersten Gerichtshof darauf hin, dass sich Zeugenschutzprogramme bislang schon deshalb erübrigt hätten, da es erst gar nicht zu Gerichtsverhandlungen gekommen sei, in denen Zeugen aussagen konnten. Jeder Person würde dieser Schutz allerdings garantiert, sollte sich die Notwendigkeit in der Zukunft ergeben."

Document(s): Open document

22.07.2003 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Bribery and extortion ("Reisebericht Georgien 18. - 25. Mai 2003") [#14436], [ID 5995]

"Grundsätzlich seien alle Arten von Gewerbe von der Mafia bedroht und auch Kleinunternehmen müssten mit Schutzgelderpressungen rechnen. Der an die einzelnen Mafiaorganisationen zu bezahlende Betrag richte sich jeweils nach der Höhe des Umsatzes der einzelnen Unternehmen. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, Opfer von Schutzgelderpressung zu werden, wird von den einzelnen Gesprächspartnern unterschiedlich eingeschätzt. So gebe es keine eindeutige Meinung darüber, ob mit zunehmender Größe des Unternehmens die Wahrscheinlichkeit steige.
Nach Meinung der UNAG gelte der Grundsatz: je kleiner das Geschäft, desto größer die Probleme des Inhabers. Größere Unternehmen würden Schutzgelder bereits als entstandene Kosten verbuchen und könnten sich gute Beziehungen zu den Steuerbehörden und zur Polizei erkaufen. Das Risiko infolge der Weigerung, Schutzgeld zu bezahlen, als Geisel genommen zu werden, sei ebenfalls gestiegen.
Laut „Ehemaliger politischer Gefangener für Menschenrechte“ und der UNAG sei es äußerst schwierig bei Bedrohung durch die Mafia staatlichen Schutz zu erhalten. Dies liege nicht zuletzt an einer in den meisten Fällen zutreffenden Verwicklung der Polizei in Strukturen des organisierten Verbrechens. Die Mehrheit der GesprächspartnerInnen bestätigt die enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Angehörigen der Exekutivorgane und Mafiaorganisationen. Was die Verfügbarkeit effektiven Rechtsschutzes bei Schutzgelderpressung angehe, so wurden hier von den Gesprächspartnern des Obersten Gerichtshofes durchaus unterschiedliche Ansichten vertreten. Während einer der Repräsentanten die Auffassung vertrat, dass sowohl in Fällen privater als auch bei Schutzgelderpressung durch staatliche Stellen ein effektiver Rechtsschutz gewährleistet sei, räumte ein weiterer Gesprächspartner ein, dass die Staatsanwaltschaft gerade in Fällen, die organisiertes Verbrechen beträfen, häufig untätig bleibe. Dies hänge nicht zuletzt mit den fehlenden Möglichkeiten der Polizei zusammen, in solchen Fällen ausführliche Ermittlungen durchzuführen. Hier lasse auch im Übrigen die Sorgfalt der Polizeiarbeit zu wünschen übrig.
Wer auch immer in Georgien Schutzgelder erpresse, sei es nun die Polizei oder die Mafia, folge nach Aussage einer namentlich nicht genannten Quelle nicht dem „sizilianischen Modell“ (Interesse am Fortbestand der Unternehmung, um später noch mehr erpressen zu können), sondern gehe eher destruktiv zu Werke und nehme selbst die Unternehmensvernichtung in Kauf. Schutzgelderpressungen würden in Georgien ein weit verbreitetes Phänomen darstellen. Wenn kriminelle Organisationen einen Unternehmenszweck angeben müssten, dann wäre es die Erpressung von Schutzgeldern. Die Ausrüstung der Polizei sei völlig unzureichend, um mafiösen Gruppen die Stirn bieten zu können. In diesem Zusammenhang mache sich auch das Fehlen einer Reform der Staatsanwaltschaft bemerkbar. Bei einem durchschnittlichen Gehalt von 30 US Dollar müsse jeder Polizist zuerst sehen, wo er bleibe, und könne sich nicht für Verbrechensbekämpfung interessieren. Überhaupt sei es die vordringlichste Aufgabe jedes Polizisten, Geld zu machen. Erpressungen und Korruption würden sich auf allen Ebenen der staatlichen Verwaltung fortsetzen. Eine im Auftrag des Innenministeriums tätige Kommission zur Korruptionsbekämpfung habe nach mehr als zwei Jahren noch immer keine Ergebnisse geliefert. Selbst wenn Konzepte vorhanden wären, würde deren Umsetzung vorerst an den herannahenden Wahlen scheitern, vor denen eine umfassende Polizeireform nicht erwünscht sei. Vielmehr gewöhne man sich langsam an die Schutzgelderpressungen, denen die Bevölkerung immer gleichgültiger gegenüberstehe."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Trafficking in persons ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11848], [ID 5996]

"The law does not prohibit trafficking in persons specifically, although trafficking could be prosecuted under laws prohibiting slavery, forced labor, illegal detention, and fraud; the country was both a source and transit country for trafficked persons. There were unconfirmed reports that government customs and border officials were involved in the trafficking of persons.

The Government prosecuted some traffickers using fraud statutes, but otherwise had no active programs to address the problem of trafficking. A government program for combating violence against women included a proposal for measures to eliminate trafficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploitation; however, it has not been implemented due to budgetary constraints.

During the year, the MOIA created a seven-person unit specifically to combat trafficking. The unit received support from the American Bar Association Central and Eastern European Law Initiative, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other organizations. Local NGOs (Women for the Future, Peoni, and People's Harmonious Development Society) worked closely with the Public Defender's office, the body primarily responsible for prosecuting criminal cases involving trafficking.

Women primarily were trafficked from the country to Turkey, Greece, Israel, and Western Europe to work in bars, restaurants, or as domestic help. Many worked in the adult entertainment sector or as prostitutes. There also was evidence that Russian and Ukrainian women were trafficked through the country to Turkey, sometimes using fraudulently obtained passports. There were reports of Russian and Ukrainian women being sent to beach resorts in the summer months to work as prostitutes. The country was generally not a destination place for trafficked persons.

Trafficked persons often were lured by jobs abroad offered through tourism firms and the media; employment agencies falsely advertised jobs as au pairs, models, and housekeepers. For example, many of the women working in the adult entertainment sector as prostitutes were informed, or led to believe, that they actually would be employed as waitresses in bars and restaurants or as domestic help.

On July 15, Nugzar Sulashvili was the subject of an armed attack on his family at his home in Tbilisi. Sulashvili was the chairman of the NGO Center for Foreign Citizens' and Migrants' Rights and Security (FCRS). The attacker was detained by the police but released quickly; the police reportedly refrained from initiating an investigation. Sulashvili's NGO worked against trafficking and over the past two years provided victims with legal, medical, psychological, and financial assistance. The organization also pointed out possible government involvement in trafficking. During the past 3 years several acts of vandalism were perpetrated against the NGO; 7 criminal cases were brought to the attention of the police, but none were investigated. On May 13, unidentified persons attacked and beat Sulashvili on his way home. The attackers reportedly warned him that he should cease to investigate activities about employment firms participating in trafficking.

There were no government programs to help victims; however, there were several NGOs involved in aiding its victims. One internationally funded NGO opened a hotline offering psychological support and assistance to victims. In 2000 the NGO Women Aid Georgia received international funding and launched a widespread public information campaign to educate women about the dangers of trafficking. The IOM also worked on trafficking problems in the country. Victims who had returned to the country reported problems resuming normal life."

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Smugglers and armed gangs flourishing in the border zone between western Georgia and Abkhazia ("Western Georgia Blighted by Crime Wave") [#11358], [ID 5997]

"The prosecutor's office is especially worried about the Samegrelo region adjoining the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The flow of smuggled petrol, cigarettes and hazelnuts across the border, combined with a trade in stolen cars, drugs and weapons have made this region a priority for Georgia's law enforcement agencies, eclipsing even the troubled Pankisi Gorge area in the northeast of the country.

So far this year there have been 13 major crimes and three high-profile murders in the Samegrelo area.
[...]
Smuggling has been a part of life in this area ever since the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict began more than 10 years ago. Locals say that Georgian partisans, who operate on Abkhaz territory, are some of the most active black market traders.

"The security zone in this post-conflict region stretches for about 70 kilometres along the river Inguri," Nachkebia said. "But the only place we can exercise real control over the people and goods passing through is the central bridge, so dozens of other bridges and fords are absolutely outside our control."
[...]
Members of the local police force warn, however, that they do not currently have the resources to cope. "The regional security services currently have only 30 employees, who cannot compete with smugglers who are armed to the teeth," said Gogi Nachkebia.

Many Zugdidi residents, meanwhile, prefer not to go the police at all."

Document(s): Open document

01.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

Increasing crime rate because of social hardships and the inadequate work of police ("Monthly Bulletin 1 (47), January 2003") [#14533], [ID 5998]

"TBILISI, GEORGIA - Crime has increased in Georgia over the past 11 months period because of social hardships and the inade-quate work of police. Despite the increasing offense rate, the exact number of crimes is not known. Members of the population seldom apply to the police as they have lost their trust in them.

Though the police attempt to expose criminal activities, many crimes are left unrevealed and unsolved, such as robbery and attacks, etc.

The Prosecutor’s office in Tbilisi, for example, has exposed more than 120 concealed crimes. Police hide the facts of a crime in order to improve the percentage of revealed crimes.

Konstantine Bokuchava, the head of the Internal Affair’s department that is supervising the legality of the investigating activities of the prosecutor’s office, stated that the above mentioned information is true. In addition, torture often takes place in the facilities of the Interior Ministry.

Criminal activities towards foreigners have also increased impacting negatively on the international image of the country."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

05.03.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

SFH: Security situation and organized crime ("Lageanalyse Februar 2002") [#8057], [ID 6001]

"Die in der Konfliktzone zwischen Abchasien und Georgien herrschende Gesetzlosigkeit bedeutet
eine ständige Bedrohung für die Sicherheit. Das Waffenstillstandsabkommen wird
immer wieder verletzt, bewaffnete Raubüberfälle – teilweise mit stillschweigender Akzeptanz
der lokalen Behörden –, Hinterhalte, Scharmützel, Minenunfälle sorgen für Unsicherheit
und Todesfälle. Die gravierendsten Vorfälle gehen zu Lasten der organisierten Kriminalität,
des Frontlinien übergreifenden Schmuggels oder zielen absichtlich auf Destabilisierung
der Lage ab.
In den Gebieten entlang der tschetschenisch-georgischen Grenze zeichnet sich ein ähnliches
Bild ab. In der Pankisi-Schlucht (Region Kakheti), die sich seit dem zweiten Tschetschenien-
Krieg zum explosivsten Gebiet Georgiens entwickelt hat, liefern sich Geiselnehmerbanden,
Drogenschmuggler und paramilitärische Gruppen zum Selbstschutz (home
guards) immer wieder Kämpfe. Die Aufnahme von 7000 tschetschenischen Flüchtlingen in
der mehrheitlich von "Kists" (Nachkommen von zu Beginn des letzten Jahrhunderts niedergelassenen
TschetschenInnen) bewohnten Region verschärft die bestehenden Probleme
nur. Georgische PolitikerInnen hegten schon lange den Verdacht, dass russische Truppen
hinter den Entführungen (auch von AusländerInnen) stecken, um die Region zu destabilisieren.
Die georgischen Behörden sträuben sich bis heute, Sicherheitstruppen in die Gegend
zu schicken. Der Vorschlag des Vorsitzenden der parlamentarischen Kommission für
Sicherheit ,Giorgi Baramidze, die "home guards" offiziell zu anerkennen und sie mit polizeilichen
Befugnissen auszustatten, scheiterte an rechtlichen Bedenken der Justiz.
Die GUS-Friedenstruppe und die UNOMIG versuchen mit verstärkten Patrouillen der Entwicklung
entgegenzuwirken. Von der zunehmenden Unsicherheit bleibt auch die Hauptstadt Tiflis nicht verschont. Gewalttätigkeit, Überfälle, Einbruch und Diebstahl haben sich vervielfacht.
Der Eindruck, dass die schwachen staatlichen Organe langsam die Kontrolle verlieren,
setzt sich immer mehr durch. Die Verschlechterung der Sicherheitssituation schränkt
die Bewegungsfreiheit der AusländerInnen ein und schreckt ausländische InvestorInnen ab.
Dies hat auch einen schlechten Einfluss auf die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung."

Document(s): Open document

2002 - Source: Public Defender of Georgia

Public Defender of Georgia: Crime rate increased ("Report of the Public Defender of Georgia: On the Situation of Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia") [#10578], [ID 5999]

"The difficult situation in the county paves the way for crimes. In 1995-1999 were
recorded 4122 and 5174 grave crimes but in 2000-2001 respectively 8317 and 8601. It is
evident that the tendency for crime rate growth for 50% and more is taking place and what is
dangerous that this becomes a standard. I fear the existing conditions will increase the rate of
such kind of offences in future. The number of premeditated murders and attempts of murder
is scaring. In 2001 their number was 430. Unfortunately, this rate in previous years was high
as well. It provokes anxiety that last year 70 such cases were not revealed."

Document(s): publicdefender-geo.pdf

2002 - Source: Public Defender of Georgia

Public Defender of Georgia: Corruption and bribing ("Report of the Public Defender of Georgia: On the Situation of Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia") [#10578], [ID 6000]

"As I mentioned corruption, it should be noted that no measures are taken in order to eliminate this vice. And in this situation a whole army of badly paid governmental officials is a burden for citizens as in primary, so in secondary meaning of the words. Unclear tariffs, artificial delay in service rendering and low income are good basis for corruption, and the success of fighting with this vice is evident from statistics. Twenty-two cases of bribing were registered in 2001. This figure is amazing. I acknowledge that investigation of such cases is specific and complicated though some representatives of the above-mentioned traffic police, probably, get bribes 22 times a day. Such a low number of cases processed in terms of bribing have several reasons: non-effective work of law enforcement bodies, bribe becoming the living style of the society and legal nihilism. The media investigation conducted last year revealed and disseminated information on even larger number of bribes."

Document(s): publicdefender-geo.pdf

13.09.2001 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Council of Europe: Guidelines for the National Anti-Corruption Programme; increasing hard criminality ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia [Doc. 9191]") [#10653], [ID 6002]

"86. Upon its accession, Georgia undertook “to continue and reinforce the fight against corruption in the judiciary, the public prosecutor’s office and the police force.”

87. According to the Minister of the Interior, although in general levels of criminality are falling, hard criminality is increasing. Corruption, however, continues to be one of the greatest problem of Georgian society. It can be partly explained by the economic crisis and the fact that salaries are not being paid to civil servants, judges and policemen, thus rendering them more vulnerable to corruption.

88. At the beginning of our second visit to Georgia (November 2000), the Guidelines for the National Anti-Corruption Programme were published. This text was prepared by a special commission headed by the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Mr Lado Chanturia, a man well known in Georgia for his integrity and high moral.

89. In an introduction to this text, President Shevarnadze says that “corruption demoralises the foundations of Georgian statehood” and adds: “if we fail to avoid this national disaster, if we fail to cure the nation, public and State of the horrible, poisoning malady of corruption – Georgians, as a civilised nation, and Georgia, as an independent, democratic state, will have no future”.

90. The text of the guidelines, some twenty pages long, describes corruption in Georgia, analyses its causes and outlines measures intended to eradicate it pending the adoption of the final programme. It gives seven interesting key reasons for the spread of corruption in Georgia:

- the legacy of the communist regime;

- State weakness in the process of its multiple transformations;

- extreme weakness of the State conditioned both by conflict situations and by the lack of civic cohesion;

- the special role of “powerful ministries” (Ministry of Internal affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of State Security);

- underdevelopment of civil society;

- deep economic crisis;

- the moral climate.

91. It is too early to assess the chances that the anti-corruption programme has of succeeding. Much will depend on how courageous the Georgian authorities will be in targeting not only low-level civil servants asking for bribes to survive but also senior officials who have illegally acquired large sums of money. In any event, we welcome, encourage and support this initiative."

Document(s): Open document

07.2001 - Source: Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development

Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development: Crime and smuggling in the uncontrolled territories ("Georgia's Membership in the Council of Europe, Achievements and Failures") [#10549], [ID 6003]

"Uncontrolled territories also became a safe haven for certain kinds of crime and especially smuggling,
though the reasons for this may be somewhat different in different conflict areas. Hence their presence is often
cited among important reasons for the government’s inability to raise taxes. In case of the South Ossetia the
Georgian government encourages economic cooperation as this is considered to build trust and contribute to the
final resolution of the conflict. However, in practice this also means that South Ossetia has become a de facto
duty-free zone or a giant loophole through which large amount of untaxed goods are smuggled to all parts of
Georgia. In Abkhazia, on the other hand, it is the situation of tension and violence becomes a cover for illegal
smuggling of goods as well. Cars stolen in Tbilisi are usually sold in the South Ossetia. Both regions are reputed
for high level of drug and arms trade. Ajaria continuously defies tax legislation and refuses to pay its share of
tax revenues to the national budget. To be sure, they can play such role only because of high level of corruption
in police and security services, the fact that is widely recognized by Georgian politicians, including those in the
ruling party."

Document(s): cipdd-geo.pdf