The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia detained T.K., the Head of the Project Management and Technical Assistance Department of the Non-Entrepreneurial (Non-Commercial) Legal Entity (A(A)IP) Rural Development Agency, according to Elguja Tavberidze, Deputy Head of the Investigative Service, during a briefing held at the Ministry of Finance.

As Elguja Tavberidze explained, the accused, for the purpose of personal financial gain, was actively involved in the criminal activities of an organized group and, together with a former agency employee, L.D., and other group members, facilitated the distribution of illegally obtained funds among themselves.

“We would like to remind the public that, as part of an ongoing investigation by the Investigative Service, on July 18, 2025, 11 individuals were detained in connection with the fraudulent appropriation of grants totaling 826,815 GEL under the ‘State Program for Co-Financing Agricultural Equipment.’ Among them is one of the organizers, L.D., a former employee of the A(A)IP Rural Development Agency.

The investigation established that between 2021 and 2024, the accused repeatedly applied to the A(A)IP Rural Development Agency on behalf of various beneficiaries to obtain grants, submitting forged invoices, consignment notes, equipment receipt and delivery acts, and audit reports.

Based on the submitted forged documents, the agency transferred co-financing funds amounting to 826,815 GEL to the bank accounts owned by the accused for the purchase of agricultural equipment.

To ensure compensation for the damage caused to the state, a significant amount of property and bank accounts registered in the names of the accused and related individuals have been seized.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 210, 180, and 362 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for imprisonment ranging from seven to ten years as a penalty.

Intensive investigative actions are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage caused to the state and to expand the circle of perpetrators.

The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia will continue to pursue a strict criminal policy against crimes committed in the financial-economic sphere,” stated Elguja Tavberidze.