Military hospital official arrested in Georgia over alleged bribery scheme

A senior official at a military medical facility in western Georgia has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe in exchange for falsifying medical documents, authorities said on Friday.

The arrest was carried out by the Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia in coordination with the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, the anti-corruption agency of the State Security Service of Georgia, and the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

According to investigators, the detainee was the head of a department at the Kutaisi medical centre of the Giorgi Abramishvili Military Hospital.

Officials alleged that the suspect accepted 3,000 lari (around $1,100) in exchange for issuing a falsified medical certificate, which would have allowed a conscript to avoid compulsory military service.

Authorities said covert investigative measures, authorised by a court, led to the collection of audio and video evidence documenting the alleged offence.

The case is being investigated under Article 338 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which relates to bribery and carries a potential sentence of six to nine years in prison.

The Investigative Service has urged public officials and individuals to refrain from engaging in corrupt practices, warning that violations will be met with strict enforcement.