: It was during his early prison terms that he was "crowned" as a Thief-in-Law , a title reserved for the elite of the criminal world who adhere to a strict code of conduct.
(2005). While he avoided capture, many of his associates, including Zakhar Kalashov , were arrested. tariel oniani prime crime top
As of April 2026, Tariel Oniani remains a "destabilizing force" in the underworld. While he has spent significant time in European and Russian prisons, he continues to be recognized by authorities as a "boss of bosses" whose ambitions have historically sparked widespread mob wars. He reportedly sought to relocate to following his release in Europe to continue managing his criminal interests. : It was during his early prison terms
He established a construction business and an airline in Spain, which was later targeted in Operation Avispa As of April 2026, Tariel Oniani remains a