Four members of a Georgian criminal gang were detained in New York and charged with extortion. Reports from a Georgian television outlet named Rustavi 2 note the arrest and ongoing investigation. The incident marks a notable case of cross-border crime enforcement linking Georgian suspects with United States authorities.
The individuals detained include Vazha Gabadadze, identified in some sources by the alias Natan Yusupov, along with three associates: Kakha Katsadze, Teimuraz Tavberidze, and David Tikaradze. Each is described as part of the same group operating under a shared criminal network, with authorities linking them to coordinated efforts aimed at coercion and money demands.
According to the New York prosecutor’s office, all four suspects arrested on November 14 originate from the city of Kutaisi in western Georgia. This detail underscores the regional roots of the group and hints at a broader pattern of organized activity extending beyond local circles.
As detailed in the indictment, the gang engaged in threatening violence and demanding payments from a victim during a period spanning September 2022 to August 2023. The allegations describe a persistent campaign of intimidation that culminated in law enforcement actions, illustrating the seriousness with which U.S. prosecutors treat extortion and racketeering schemes involving foreign nationals.
During a press briefing, James Smith, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated, “We will prosecute them under criminal law.” The remark reflects the standard posture of federal authorities when handling cases that cross international borders and involve violent threats, extortion, and financial coercion.
If found guilty, the defendants face a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison under American law. The prospect of such a sentence highlights the severity with which U.S. courts treat extortion and organized crime, especially when linked to international networks and alleged violent intimidation.
Vazha Gabadadze was born in 1983. He earned recognition within a traditional criminal hierarchy when he was crowned by the Ded Hasan clan in Athens on October 28, 2012, a ceremony that has been noted in reports about Caucasus-based criminal groups and their transnational connections. Such details are often cited in analyses of how organized crime networks formalize ranks and loyalties beyond national borders.
Earlier efforts in Georgia involved a large-scale operation aimed at dismantling the thieves clan, resulting in the arrest of 18 members. That crackdown illustrates ongoing domestic law enforcement campaigns against organized crime and their ripple effects on international investigations where Georgian suspects may be involved in activities abroad.