Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs says 14 people have been arrested and nine facilities sealed on charges of facilitating prostitution and providing premises for prostitution-related activities.
The Central Criminal Police Department, in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office, carried out operations in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, the ministry said.
Among those detained are Georgian citizens as well as nationals of China and Thailand.
Investigators say the owners and administrators of the facilities allegedly employed foreign citizens and encouraged them to engage in prostitution, while systematically renting out premises for such activities in exchange for payment.
The ministry also alleges that the suspects helped women involved in prostitution find clients and received a share of the income generated.
“The evidence obtained also establishes that the defendants helped women involved in prostitution find clients, and in return, they themselves received part of the money received,” said Grigol Gogochashvili, head of the Anti-Trafficking and Illegal Migration Division of the Central Criminal Police Department.
He added that the main income of the facilities allegedly came from prostitution-related earnings.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs says the investigation included covert audio and video recordings, along with other investigative actions, which it says confirm the alleged criminal activity.
The case is being investigated under Article 254, Parts 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.
