21 arrested in anti-corruption operation across Georgia, State Security Service

The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia on Thursday announced that 21 people had been arrested or charged in connection with seven separate corruption cases, following an anti-corruption operation conducted across various regions.

The operation was carried out by the SSS Anti-Corruption Agency.

A psychiatrist and a security officer at the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labor, Health and Social Affairs’ Center for Mental Health and Drug Prevention were arrested in Tbilisi.

The psychiatrist allegedly issued false medical certificates to help conscripts avoid military service in exchange for bribes. The crime is punishable by 6–9 years in prison.

One person was arrested and another charged for promising, in coordination with a supposed military-medical commission member, to delay a conscript’s service in exchange for 10,000 GEL, of which 5,000 GEL was already collected. The crime is punishable by 4–7 years in prison.

The former head of Kareli Municipality Military Registration and Recruitment Service and a private company manager were charged with falsifying documents and placing conscripts in alternative non-military service without proper authorization. The offence is punishable by 3–6 years.

Four doctors from Krol Medical Corporation and Tbilisi Central Hospital have been charged with producing false medical records for 315 individuals to fraudulently obtain disability status and state pensions. The crime is punishable by 4-6 years.

Fraud in municipal sports project in Chokhatauri -  Directors and representatives of three companies misappropriated 19,090 GEL during football field rehabilitation works. The offense is punishable by 6-9 years.

Directors and accountants of Euro Gza and Biltmore, as well as a former inspector from Expert House, have been charged with embezzling 38,158 GEL during a road rehabilitation project. Investigations are under Articles 180 and 362, punishable by 6-9 years.

A municipal employee and the mayor’s representative, along with two citizens, have been charged with illegally registering a 3,900 sq.m. land plot, causing 70,200 GEL in damages. 

The SSS said that covert investigative measures were carried out in line with court orders, producing audio and video evidence of the criminal activities.

The Anti-Corruption Agency said it will continue efforts to detect and prevent all forms of corruption in Georgia.