14 criminal cases, 28 arrests: Georgia's State Security Service issues statement

Georgia‘s State Security Service (SSG) said investigators had detained or brought criminal charges against a total of 28 people in connection with 14 separate criminal cases following operations carried out across nine regions of the country.

The cases involve alleged bribery, the production and sale of forged official documents, organised commercial bribery, the fraudulent acquisition of state-owned funds and land, and abuse of office.

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According to the State Security Service, three people were arrested and 11 others charged in connection with five criminal cases involving public procurement and the fraudulent misappropriation of state budget funds.

The cases relate to the alleged falsification of documents and other unlawful actions by private companies during road rehabilitation projects, upgrades to drinking water networks and the renovation of public schools in three municipalities. Investigators say the suspects fraudulently obtained tens of thousands of lari.

The investigation also found that some of the accused, while fulfilling public procurement contracts for Tbilisi’s kindergartens and Batumi’s free canteens, supplied smaller quantities of Easter products than agreed, substituted different brands and trademarks, and delivered lower-quality disinfectants.

The SSG said the alleged offences caused losses to the state amounting to 669,497 lari (about $255,000).

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Seven people have been charged in three separate criminal cases involving the fraudulent acquisition of state-owned land, abuse of office and official forgery.

The investigation concerns the alleged fraudulent acquisition of state-owned land plots covering a total of 91,564 square metres. According to the authorities, several officials from the mayor’s offices and municipal councils of three municipalities used forged documents to obtain the land at different times.

The agency said the alleged offences caused losses to the state amounting to 397,804 lari (about $151,000).

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Three more people have been arrested in connection with three criminal cases involving alleged bribery.

Investigators say officials from the municipalities of Lanchkhuti and Tetritskaro, as well as the Oni Forestry Service, accepted bribes from Georgian and foreign nationals on separate occasions.

According to the State Security Service, they allegedly promised in return to authorise the placement of a mobile retail facility, known locally as a “drive”, on state-owned land and provide it with official protection, allocate state land for beekeeping, and facilitate the illegal logging and transportation of oak timber.

Four people have been arrested in connection with three additional criminal cases involving the production and sale of forged official documents and organised commercial bribery.

According to the State Security Service, the investigation found that the suspects accepted bribes on separate occasions to produce and sell forged driving licences, Georgian passports and fake bachelor’s degree diplomas issued in the name of a private higher education institution.

As part of the investigation, the authorities carried out covert investigative measures under court orders. According to the SSG, these operations produced audio and video evidence documenting the alleged offences.

Georgia’s State Security Service arrests 28 people