What Happens in 'Lazvegas' (A.K.A. Batum)...

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Vatan Newspaper, 1 October 2018)


                Lazvegas-by-the-(Black) Sea

Batum, Georgia, has earned the label 'Lazvegas' in recent
years because of its flourishing nightlife and the Laz
heritage of the eastern Black Sea region.  But Turks have
repeatedly fallen into traps there.  Passing across the
Turkish-Georgian border at the Sarp border crossing,
Turks driving in their cars can't resist picking up Georgian
women hitchhikers as they head for 'Lazvegas'.

The women lure the Turks to clubs in the back streets of
Batum and quickly disappear.  The Turks are left with
bills that can reach 40,000 TL ($6,500).  Fights inevitably
result and the Turks are taken into custody by Georgian
police.  The worst part is that many of the club owners
or partners are Turks themselves. (!)

One victim, Halit Danişmaz, lamented that "guys of
modest means go to Batum and have drinks in the clubs
there. But then they get bills for 4-5,000 TL and if they
don't pay it they get beaten up. Then, when they go back
to Turkey they don't have any money left in their pockets."



                               Viva Lazvegas!