On October 30, in central Tbilisi, an armed group attacked the Tonwex cryptocurrency exchange and stole more than 2.18 million lari in various assets. The information was provided by the прокуратуре Грузии.
According to the agency, the suspects entered the exchange when clients were inside and, under threats, stole $810,300, €110 and 6,500 lari.
The local channel Rustavi2 reported that one of the office staff phoned the police. However, the door was opened by the arriving law‑enforcement officers themselves, after the attackers, posing as crime‑scene experts, conducted investigative activities. As a result, some of the assailants managed to escape.
Two suspects were nonetheless detained. They have been charged with robbery on a large scale, and the question of pre-trial detention is being considered.
Authorities are also seeking other individuals involved in the robbery, some of whom have been charged in absentia.
The substantive hearing is scheduled for December 25. The perpetrators face eight to twelve years in prison.
According to СМИ, Tonwex does not have a license to operate in the country. According to one version, the exchange belongs to гражданам РФ, while another version attributes ownership to украинским и грузинским основателям.
According to unofficial information, journalists assert that the cause of the incident was the “rivalry of influential groups.” They also mention a certain Davit Peikrishvili, allegedly present in the office at the time of the incident. He is known in Georgia for a number of high-profile criminal cases. However, Peikrishvili’s lawyer denies his involvement in the crime.
Earlier in February 2022, near a Bitcoin exchange in Kyiv there was a shooting that left people injured.