OPERATION "CHIMERA"

According to the decision approved by the GUAM Working Group for combating terrorism, organized crime, illegal circulation of drugs and other serious crimes, in July 2006 under the subordination of the Ministry of Interior of Moldova was established the subgroup for combating illegal migration and human trafficking. Nowadays illegal migration and human trafficking presents serious danger to the GUAM member states. Fight against illegal migration and human trafficking needs joint efforts and conduct of the relevant operations by the Law Enforcement Agencies. The main object of these operations will be to raise the effectiveness of the preventive measures, investigation and sentence of an accused person.

According to the taken decisions, the first operation by the mentioned subgroup had to be conducted on the example of the operation "Harmony 2006", the implementation of which the GUAM subgroup for combating illegal circulation of drugs started in April 2006. The basic tasks of the subgroups for combating illegal migration and human trafficking will be to gather information on identification of persons involved in human trafficking and victims of trafficking, types of unlawful activities as well as information about trade channels and the routes of movement in the territory of the GUAM member states.

The basic objective of the operation "Chimera" was to gather and analyze information on illegal migration and human trafficking in the territory of the GUAM member states. It was determined in advance, that the processes of gathering information will cover the period from June 1, 2006 till November 30, 2006. The coordinator of the project was the Ministry of Interior of Moldova. Information obtained during the operation was based on the results and data of the operative-searching activities obtained during the investigation of criminal cases connected with illegal migration and human trafficking.

Georgia is presented as a transit country for trafficking as well as a country from where the women, men and children are sold for the purposes of sexual operation and forced work. Among the citizens of Georgia the great part of the victims of trafficking are directed to the Republic of Turkey. This can be easily explained by the fact of non-existence of visa regime between Georgia and the Republic of Turkey. Through the territory of Georgia persons from Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and other courtiers of the former Soviet Union are transported to the Republic of Turkey, Greece, United Arab Emirates and countries of the Western Europe. According to the data of the International Organization of Migration, minimum 500 Georgia women are sold abroad every year. There is also information on the facts of human trafficking within the country. In accordance to the obtained information victims of human trafficking are handed over to the region of Abkhazia for the purposes of forced work. In future, in order to transport to the territory of Georgia victims from Russia - human traffickers will be able to use the territory of South Osetia.

We obtain information on the facts of women transportation from Ukraine and Russia through the territory of Georgia to the Republic of Turkey. Basically they used to cross the state border using false passports. In summer time Ukrainian and Russian women are transported to the resorts with a view of prostitution. It should be mentioned that Georgia is not presented as the country of destination. In most cases the victims of human trafficking are persons who address Travel Companies or Agencies which are promising to find work abroad. Women, who work in the sphere of entertainment of adults, were promised that they will work as waitresses in the bars and restaurants.

In 2005 the Government of Georgia paid great attention to the investigation of cases of human trafficking and arrest of criminals. As a result of this the Division for combating human trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated 27 criminal cases; criminal prosecution is imposed on 9 cases.

According to the agreement the operation was conducted under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior of Moldova, which was assisted by the Group of Euro-Atlantic Advisors and ICITAP the Ministry of Justice of the USA. Gathering of Information was accomplished in Russian language by means of International Information Management System (IIMS), using the forms agreed on the first meeting of the GUAM Working Group combating human trafficking.

GUAM member states had to present information on the facts of illegal migration and human trafficking. For the sources of such kind of information were presented the Specialized Divisions for Combating Trafficking, Operative Sub-units, Security and Border Services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

One of the main objectives of the operation was to accomplish detailed review of the current situation in the GUAM member states, namely in the sphere of illegal migration and human trafficking. In addition, participant countries had to find out investigative means for conduct of joint measures against criminals operating in the territory of several countries (it especially refers to the countries neighboring Georgia-Azerbaijan and Ukraine-Moldova). The secondary object of the operation "Chimera" was to inspect interdepartmental system of informational maintenance with the view of data exchange.

Georgia

In October-November, 2006 the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia produced statement about 9 operative measures concerning combat human trafficking. As a result 5 victims of trafficking were revealed within the country, four among them were minors. Three victims were found at a border check point (one - at Tbilisi airport). Also, human international trafficking was fixed; victim of the mentioned crime was a citizen of Uzbekistan. In result of conducted operation law enforcement agencies of Georgia detained 5 criminals: one of them was a citizen of Armenia and the rest four - Georgians. 4 criminal cases were initiated against offenders.

As for illegal migration, Georgian Party introduced statement about exposure of 103 cases. The most cases were fixed in July and August - like Moldova case. Among migrants citizens of Georgia were dominated, though citizens of Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia also were among them.

"Arrest 1" - operation review

On the basis of decision of May 18, 2007 made by the GUAM working group in charge for combat trafficking and illegal migration in Chisinau the operation "Containment 2007" was carried out on October 23-25, 2007 in the frame of the GUAM.

Objects inspected during the operation were defined: night clubs in Tbilisi, saunas and hotels, that are recognized as the place for gathering of persons involved in prostitution.

Certain checkpoints were selected and control over them was intensified for the operation purposes, in particular: Tbilisi and Batumi airports, Sarpi (Turkey-Georgia), Vale (Turkey-Georgia), Poti port (maritime), Lagodekhi (Azerbaijan-Georgia), Red Bridge (Azerbaijan-Georgia).

After completion of the operation, according to the data received from the relevant agencies, no fact of human trafficking or illegal cross of border was fixed during the operation.

Summarization of the operations "Chimera" and "Arrest 2007" as well as analysis of information was made on December 6, 2007 in Chisinau at the meeting of the GUAM working group in charge for combat trafficking and illegal migration.

"Arrest 2" - operation review

On the basis of decision of December 6, 2007 made by the GUAM working group in charge for combat trafficking and illegal migration in Chisinau the operation "Arrest 2" was carried out in May 12-16, 2008 within the frames of the GUAM.

The operations aimed at the following: reveal of criminal groups, facts of human trafficking and illegal migration in the region, identification of victims, creation of a strong basis for coordinative cooperation between the law enforcement agencies, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations for rehabilitation and repatriation of the persons above mentioned, also conduction of preventive measures.

With the purpose of successful implementation of the operation above a provisional working group under the direction by the GUAM National Center of the MoIA of Georgia was established with the following membership:

Mr. Levan Chikvaidze - Head of the National Center of the GUAM, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia;

Mr. Levan Gventsadze - Head of the Division of Combat Trafficking and Illegal Migration of the Main Division of Illegal Circulation of Drugs and Trafficking of the Special Operative Department, the MoIA of Georgia;

Mr. Akaki Chabrava - Deputy Head of the Division of Combat Trafficking and Illegal Migration of the Main Division of Illegal Circulation of Drugs and Trafficking of the Special Operative Department, the MoIA of Georgia;

Mr. Kakhaber Sakheishvili - Head of Border-Immigration Unit of the Division of Border Guard and Control of Land Border Protection Department, the MoIA of Georgia.

Control was intensified during the operation over the following checkpoints: Tbilisi and Batumi airports (air), Sarpi (Turkey-Georgia), Vale (Turkey-Georgia), Poti port (maritime), Lagodekhi (Azerbaijan-Georgia), Red Bridge (Azerbaijan-Georgia).

No fact of trafficking was fixed during the operation, as about a migration - 2 facts of illegal crossing of border were fixed, in particular:

1. Anahyt Durgaryan - citizen of Armenia, date of birth: 09.12.1965 was arrested at Sarpi checkpoint; his route was Russia-Georgia-Armenia;

2. Artur Kairov - citizen of Russia, date of birth: 03.06.86 was arrested in Tskhinvali point of Georgia-Russia border; his route was Russia-Georgia.

"Arrest 3" - operation review

On November 17, 2008 the operation "Arrest 3" was carried out in the territory of Georgia. No fact of human trafficking was fixed during the operation; as about a migration - 10 facts of illegal crossing of Georgian checkpoints were fixed.

On the basis of the decision adopted at the GUAM working group meeting in March 3-4, 2009 "Arrest 2009" the operation is planned to be carried out in November 9-13, 2009.

"Arrest 2009" - review

On November 9-13 2009, the operation "Arrest 2009" was carried out on the territory of Georgia. No fact of human trafficking or illegal migration was fixed during the operation;

"Arrest 2010" - review

On October 1-31 2010, the operation "Arrest 2010" was carried out on the territory of Georgia. No fact of human trafficking or illegal migration was fixed during the operation like during the operation "Arrest 2009".

"Arrest 2011" - review

On November 1-30 2011 the operation "Arrest 2011" was carried out on the territory of Georgia. Control was intensified during the operation over the following checkpoints: Tbilisi and Batumi airports (air), Sarpi (Turkey-Georgia), Vale (Turkey-Georgia), Poti port (maritime), Lagodekhi (Azerbaijan-Georgia), Red Bridge (Azerbaijan-Georgia). Two facts of Trafficking was fixed during the Operation.