# 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. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances ## What is the penalty WhenPenaltyBasic offenceA fine or imprisonment from 2 to 4 yearsAs a group; repeatedly; to obtain property on a large scaleImprisonment from 4 to 7 yearsBy an organised group; by a person convicted twice or moreImprisonment 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 - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) - [Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/90034) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Related practice area: [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) ## Related topics - [#Criminal law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - [#Property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) - - [Property crime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) - - [Theft — Article 177](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/theft-article-177/) - - [Robbery (open theft) — Article 178](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/robbery-article-178/) - - [Violent robbery — Article 179](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/violent-robbery-article-179/) - - [Embezzlement — Article 182](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/embezzlement-article-182/) - - [Damage to property — Article 187](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/property-damage-article-187/) - - [Asset freezing and confiscation lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/asset-freezing-and-confiscation/) - - [Criminal defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) Criminal law ## Crimes and penalties - [Theft](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/theft-article-177/) — Article 177 Secretly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 10 years, depending on the damage and circumstances. - [Robbery (open theft)](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/robbery-article-178/) — Article 178 Openly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 11 years, depending on the damage, violence and other factors. - [Violent robbery](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/violent-robbery-article-179/) — Article 179 An attack to take property, with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of it. Penalty: 5 to 15 years. - [Embezzlement](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/embezzlement-article-182/) — Article 182 Unlawfully keeping or spending property or money you were entrusted with — often at work. Up to 11 years. - [Damage to property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/property-damage-article-187/) — Article 187 Damaging or destroying someone else's property causing significant damage. Penalties from a fine to 12 years. - [Bodily harm](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/bodily-harm/) — Article 117, 118, 120 Intentional minor, less serious and serious bodily harm — penalties from a fine to 14 years. - [Hooliganism](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/hooliganism-article-239/) — Article 239 A gross breach of public order with violence or the threat of violence. Penalties from a fine to 7 years. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/extortion-article-181/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge