The State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) has arrested 5 individuals on the basis of court warrants in connection with corruption offenses identified in 6 separate criminal cases.

According to Emzar Gagnidze, Director of the SSS’s Anti-Corruption Agency, who spoke during a briefing at the SSG, a total of 14 individuals have been charged.

“Through a large-scale anti-corruption operation conducted during the day across various regions of Georgia by employees of the State Security Service’s Anti-Corruption Agency, 5 individuals have been arrested based on court warrants in connection with corruption offenses uncovered in 6 separate criminal cases. In total, 14 people have been charged.

First case:In Marneuli, the acting director of Public School No. 4 has been arrested for accepting a bribe. He demanded 300 USD from a citizen in exchange for falsely confirming that the individual had passed the exams required to obtain a school certificate.

The investigation is ongoing under Article 338 (1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries a penalty of 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

Second case:A Shuakhevi Municipality City Hall employee has been arrested for facilitating bribery. He demanded 3,000 GEL from a citizen-1,500 GEL in advance and 1,500 GEL after preparation of the document-to pass on to the head of the geological service of the Adjara Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Department, in exchange for issuing a new geological report needed to receive 50,000 GEL co-financing under the eco-migrant housing program.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 25 and 338 (1) of the Criminal Code, punishable by 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

Third case:In Tbilisi and Sagarejo, three individuals have been arrested for embezzling a large amount of money through fraud using falsified documents as part of a premeditated group scheme.

The investigation revealed that the director of “Horizonti 23” LLC ensured that the company “Arkitrav” was fictitiously included in a tender to illegally obtain a large sum of money. After the contract was signed with the City Hall, all work was actually performed by “Horizonti 23.” Meanwhile, supervisors from “Inspecta” issued a false inspection report, enabling the group to embezzle 89,727 GEL.

The investigation is ongoing under Article 362 (1) and Article 180 (2)(a) and (3)(b), punishable by 6 to 9 years, and Article 220^1 (1), punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Fourth case:The director of “Logi” LLC, the director of “S.K. 2000” LLC, and a technical supervisor from Tbilisi Municipal Laboratory have been charged.

A procurement contract worth 572,907 GEL was signed between Gldani District Administration and “Logi” for sewage network works on Samegrelo Street in Mukhiani 2. The municipal laboratory supervisor was responsible for overseeing the work.

The director of “Logi” and the director of “S.K. 2000” created false documentation claiming that 3,738 m³ of excavated soil was transported in 178 trips to a licensed landfill 12 km away-while in reality, the soil was dumped into a ravine near the work site. The false documents were submitted to the municipal laboratory, whose supervisor issued a fake report confirming the disposal. These falsified results were entered into the official work completion forms, leading to the transfer of 104,290 GEL to “Logi.”

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 25-180 (3)(b), 342 (1), and 362 (2)(b), carrying 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.

Fifth case:A former employee of the Supreme Council of Adjara has been charged for accepting a bribe. He demanded 3,000 GEL, of which 2,000 GEL was received in installments, from a citizen in exchange for leasing two state-owned land plots in Kobuleti.

The investigation continues under Article 338 (1), punishable by 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

Sixth case:The former representative of the Ozurgeti Mayor in the Natanebi administrative unit and the acting senior specialist of the Ozurgeti City Hall Internal Audit and Inspection Service have been charged with accepting and facilitating bribes. They demanded 4,000 GEL-receiving 2,000 GEL in advance-from a citizen in exchange for allowing unauthorized use and providing protection regarding a 517 m² state-owned seaside land plot in the village of Natanebi.

The investigation is ongoing under Article 338 (1) and Articles 25, 338 (1), both punishable by 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

As part of the investigations into the above crimes, covert investigative actions were carried out based on court orders, resulting in the collection of audio and video evidence documenting the criminal activities.

The Anti-Corruption Agency continues to work actively to detect and prevent any form of corruption.

The State Security Service warns anyone who may be considering involvement in corruption to think carefully before making such a decision, stating:“We will do everything to reduce corruption to a minimum and ensure that Georgia becomes one of the leading countries in the fight against corruption.” - SSS.