GI-TOC highlights that organised crime in South Caucasus is going transnational, exploiting trade routes, political tolerance, and digital tools to fuel sanctions evasion and global illicit networks

While Azerbaijan has largely absorbed criminal networks into the state apparatus, Georgia and Armenia see groups operating with tacit political tolerance. Thieves-in-law remain influential, maintaining international operations in extortion, illicit trade, and money laundering. Armenia and Georgia have emerged as hubs for Russian goods and sanctions evasion, while Azerbaijan facilitates Russo-Iranian commerce…