The State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) announced a large-scale anti-corruption operation conducted in nine regions of the country. A total of 28 people have been detained and prosecuted as part of 14 criminal cases.
“As a result of a large-scale operation conducted in nine regions of Georgia, a total of 28 people were detained and prosecuted in 14 criminal cases on charges of bribery, fraud, forgery of official documents, commercial bribery, and abuse of official powers,” said Emzar Gagnidze, Director of the SSS Anti-Corruption Agency.
The official stated that, according to the investigation, the suspects are suspected of accepting bribes, the fraudulent misappropriation of state funds and land plots, forging official documents, commercial bribery, and abuse of official powers.
The investigation identified violations in the execution of state contracts in the Tsalka, Akhaltsikhe, and Tetritskaro municipalities. According to the SSS, the damage to the state exceeded 669,000 lari.
In addition, seven suspects were charged with the illegal acquisition of over 91,500 square meters of state-owned land. The damage in these episodes amounted to nearly 398,000 lari.
“This concerns cases where, during road repairs, work on internal drinking water supply networks, and public school renovations in the Tsalka, Akhaltsikhe, and Tetritskaro municipalities, tens of thousands of lari were fraudulently misappropriated through the forgery of documents and other illegal acts.
<…> The investigation also established that some of the prosecuted individuals, under public procurement contracts for Tbilisi kindergartens and free cafeterias in Batumi, supplied Easter products in smaller quantities than stipulated in the contracts, as well as alternative brands and low-quality disinfectants. As a result of these illegal actions, the state suffered damage amounting to 669,497 lari,” Gagnidze stated.
Separate criminal cases involve bribery and the fabrication of forged documents, including driver’s licenses, passports, and diplomas.
The SSS reported that covert investigative measures were carried out during the probe, yielding audio and video evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
