In a coordinated operation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) in conjunction with the Prosecutor’s Office, two individuals have been detained following a court order.

According to the statement of the State Security Service of Georgia, M.Zh., the director of Guria Energy LLC, and P.R., an employee of the supervisory company, were taken into custody for the fraudulent misappropriation of GEL 403,095 belonging to the state. Additionally, a third employee of the supervisory company, T.M., is expected to face charges.

Following the briefing at SSSG, it was revealed that the case involves extensive fraud, complicity in large-scale corruption, and the fabrication and utilisation of a counterfeit official document, specifically, the misappropriation of a substantial sum of money belonging to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.

“The investigation has revealed that between September 2022 and January 2023, during the rehabilitation of a 3.52 km local road connecting Norio and Lilo in Gardabani municipality, M.Zh., owner and director of Guria Energy LLC, in collaboration with P.R., responsible for overseeing the tender process, engaged in the illegal preparation and use of false official documents. This facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of GEL 403,095 from the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, resulting in significant financial damage to the state. Expert assessments indicate that the rehabilitated road provided by Guria Energy LLC is unfit for use,” the officials stated.

The investigation continues under Article 180, Part 3, Subparagraph “b,” Article 25, Part 3, Subparagraph “b,” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, as well as Article 362, Part 2, Subparagraph “b,” of the same code, which prescribe imprisonment for a term of six to nine years.