Extortion in Georgia — Article 181: penalties
Extortion under Article 181 is demanding someone else's property, a property right or a financial benefit, combined with a threat — of violence, destroying or damaging property, or spreading discrediting or other harmful information. The threat can be aimed at the victim or a close relative.
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What is the penalty
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Basic offence | A fine or imprisonment from 2 to 4 years |
| As a group; repeatedly; to obtain property on a large scale | Imprisonment from 4 to 7 years |
| By an organised group; by a person convicted twice or more | Imprisonment from 6 to 9 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- Whether the demand was lawful — for example, recovering a real debt
- What the threat said and how real it was
- Messages and recordings, and whether they were lawfully obtained
- Lawfulness of covert investigative actions
If you are accused or arrested
- Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
- Don't sign any document you don't understand
- You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the next 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure
- Decide on compensating the damage or settling with the victim together with your lawyer
If you are a victim
- Call 112 or go to the police or the prosecutor's office
- Keep the evidence: photos, video, messages, receipts, witnesses' contacts
- Ask for victim status — it gives you rights in the case, for example to be informed about its progress
- You can claim compensation for the damage — a lawyer will help
Questions & answers
Is demanding a debt extortion?
Not by itself. But demanding repayment with threats of violence or other threats can be treated as extortion or another offence. It is safer to claim a debt through the courts.
Someone threatens to post my photos unless I pay — what should I do?
Don't pay and don't delete the messages. Keep the evidence and go to the police — this is extortion.
What is the penalty for extortion?
For the basic offence — a fine or 2 to 4 years in prison; with aggravating circumstances — up to 9 years.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Property crimes
Crimes and penalties
Theft
Article 177Secretly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 10 years, depending on the damage and circumstances.Robbery (open theft)
Article 178Openly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 11 years, depending on the damage, violence and other factors.Violent robbery
Article 179An attack to take property, with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of it. Penalty: 5 to 15 years.Embezzlement
Article 182Unlawfully keeping or spending property or money you were entrusted with — often at work. Up to 11 years.Damage to property
Article 187Damaging or destroying someone else's property causing significant damage. Penalties from a fine to 12 years.Bodily harm
Article 117, 118, 120Intentional minor, less serious and serious bodily harm — penalties from a fine to 14 years.Hooliganism
Article 239A gross breach of public order with violence or the threat of violence. Penalties from a fine to 7 years.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
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