The Georgian Prosecutor's Office has arrested the former president of the Georgian National Handball Federation for misappropriating a large amount of money using his official position, - Malkhaz Kapanadze, head of the Anti-Corruption Department, said at the briefing.

According to him, the investigation revealed that the detainee took advantage of his official position and in 2019-2021, using the business cards belonging to the federation in his possession, withdrew 464,496 GEL from bank accounts through various ATMs and misappropriated 464,496 GEL belonging to the Georgian National Handball Federation, which caused a large amount of material damage.

If convicted, the detainee faces 7 to 11 years in prison.

“The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has arrested the former president of the Georgian National Handball Federation for misappropriating a large amount of money by using his official position.

The Department for Combating Corruption of the Georgian Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation based on the report of the State Audit Office. The investigation revealed that the detainee took advantage of his official position and in 2019-2021, using the business cards belonging to the Federation in his possession, withdrew 464,496 GEL from bank accounts through various ATMs and misappropriated 464,496 GEL belonging to the Georgian National Handball Federation, which caused a large amount of material damage.

The detainee was charged under Article 182, Part 2, Subparagraphs “d” and “b” of Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (misappropriation of a large amount of money, committed by abuse of official position), which provides for a sentence of 7 to 11 years of imprisonment.

The Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court within the time limit established by law with a request to apply detention as a preventive measure,” Kapanadze said.