A total of 21 individuals have been detained and charged in connection with corruption-related crimes uncovered in seven separate criminal cases, according to Emzar Gagnidze, Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service (SSS), who spoke at a briefing.

The SSS notes that in most cases the crimes involve the postponement of conscription into military service, specifically the preparation of forged medical certificates. According to the agency, those detained include doctors and nurses.

“Following a large-scale anti-corruption operation carried out today by officers of the State Security Service’s Anti-Corruption Agency in various regions of Georgia, a total of 21 people have been detained and charged in connection with corruption-related crimes identified in seven separate criminal cases.

First case:As part of joint measures conducted together with the General Inspection of the Ministry of Defence and the Prosecutor’s Office, a psychiatrist from the LEPL ‘Mental Health and Addiction Prevention Center’ of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, and a security employee of the same center were detained in Tbilisi on charges of bribe-taking, aiding and abetting bribe-taking, and official forgery.

The investigation established that, in order to help a conscript evade compulsory military service, the psychiatrist, with the assistance of the security employee, accepted a bribe and issued a false medical diagnosis and a medical certificate containing false information, which the conscript could use to temporarily avoid military service.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 338(1), 25-338(1), and 341 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry a penalty of 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Second case:One citizen has been detained and another charged with fraud committed by a group acting in prior agreement.

At this stage, the investigation has revealed that the accused promised a citizen that they would arrange a postponement of conscription into national military service, allegedly with the help of a member of a military-medical commission, by establishing a temporary health incompatibility. In exchange, they demanded GEL 10,000 and received GEL 5,000 in advance. In reality, no assistance was provided, and the money was fraudulently misappropriated.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 19 and 180(2)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 4 to 7 years’ imprisonment.

Third criminal case:Charges have been brought against the former head of the Military Registration and Enlistment Office of Kareli Municipality and the manager of LLC “Bermukhi” for abuse of official authority, official forgery, and repeated preparation, sale, and use of forged official documents.

The investigation established that the former head of the military registration and enlistment office, abusing his official position and without decisions by the relevant commissions, falsified medical conclusions and registered six conscripts for alternative labor service. Some of them were sent to serve their alternative non-military labor service at LLC “Bermukhi.” The company’s de facto manager repeatedly issued false employment certificates, stating that the conscripts were employed by the company and were performing alternative non-military service, while in fact some of the conscripts were outside the country during that period.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 332(1), 341, and 362(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 3 to 6 years’ imprisonment.

Fourth case:Four doctors from LLC “Krol Medical Corporation” and LLC “Tbilisi Central Hospital” have been charged in connection with group commercial bribery and the preparation and sale of forged official documents.

The investigation established that the medical professionals prepared false health certificates and other medical documentation for 315 citizens identified by an accomplice already exposed in this case for aiding and abetting group commercial bribery. They ensured that the false information was entered into the relevant electronic database of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, as a result of which the citizens were illegally granted disability status and state pensions. At this stage, 107 individuals have been questioned and have confirmed receiving state pensions based on forged documents.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 221(4)(a), 25-221(4)(a), and 362(2)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 4 to 6 years’ imprisonment.

Fifth criminal case:Charges have been brought against a representative of LLC “Elmaris,” the director of LLC “Tegika Universali,” and an expert from LLC “Expert Service” for large-scale fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, and the preparation and use of forged official documents.

The investigation has established that during rehabilitation works on a football field located in the village of Khidistavi, Chokhatauri Municipality, the director of LLC “Tegika Universali,” with the assistance of a proxy of the subcontractor LLC “Elmaris” and an expert from LLC “Expert Service,” fraudulently misappropriated GEL 19,090 belonging to Chokhatauri Municipality.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 180(3)(b), 25-180(3)(b), and 362(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Sixth case:Charges have been brought against the director and accountant of LLC “Euro Gza,” the director of LLC “Biltmore,” and the former supervisor of the inspection body LLC “Expert House” for large-scale fraud committed by a group acting in prior agreement, aiding and abetting fraud, and the preparation and use of forged official documents.

The investigation established that, under a contract between Gurjaani Municipality City Hall and LLC “Biltmore,” road rehabilitation works worth GEL 477,551 were carried out by the subcontractor LLC “Euro Gza.” Technical supervision was provided by LLC “Expert House,” hired by Gurjaani Municipality City Hall, and payment was made based on its conclusion. However, according to an engineering expert assessment, a discrepancy of GEL 38,158 was identified between the actual works performed and the work completion reports submitted by the company. As a result, the responsible individuals fraudulently misappropriated GEL 38,158 belonging to Gurjaani Municipality City Hall.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 180(2)(a), 180(3)(b), 25-180(3)(b), and 362(2)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

Seventh case:Charges have been brought against an employee of Gurjaani Municipality City Hall, the mayor’s representative in Gurjaani, and two citizens for large-scale fraud committed through abuse of official position, aiding and abetting fraud, official forgery, and the preparation and use of forged official documents.

The investigation revealed that a Gurjaani Municipality City Hall employee intended to fraudulently acquire a 3,900 sq. m land plot located on G. Leonidze Street in Gurjaani. To carry out this plan, the employee applied to the National Agency of Public Registry and requested sporadic registration of property rights. The mayor’s representative, who was responsible for reviewing the matter, abused his official position and prepared and issued a forged ownership document, on the basis of which the land plot was illegally registered in the name of the city hall employee, causing GEL 70,200 in damage to the state.

The investigation is ongoing under Articles 180(3)(a) and (b), 25-180(3)(a) and (b), 341, and 362(2)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment.

In relation to the above-mentioned crimes, covert investigative actions were carried out during the investigation on the basis of court warrants, resulting in the acquisition of audio and video evidence documenting the criminal acts.

The Anti-Corruption Agency stated that it continues its work to identify and prevent any corruption-related crimes, the SSS said.”