Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia, as a result of operative-searching and investigative activities detained 8 active and 3 former footballers on the fact of bribing of the participants of sport competition and fixing the football matches by the players of second and highest league.

According to information released by State Security Service, the detainees are the organizers – former footballers: Vakhtang J., Lasha Ch. and Nika D.,the footballer of FC “Chiatura” Irakli Kh, as well as the footballers of FC “Lanchkhuti’s Guria”- Robert I. and Irakli B, the footballers of FC “Wit Georgia”- Joni Sh., Giorgi G., Nikoloz M., Paata Gh. and Nodar K.

“Investigation established, that the members of the organized group criminally contacted the footballers of football clubs and in return of certain amount of money arranged to lose with the rival team through pre-agreed score with so called “handicap”- for two or more goals.

On April 3, 2019, the footballers of FC “Lanchkhuti’s Guria” bribed by the organized group, participating in the 2nd league of Georgian National Championship on the basis of preliminary agreement, lost with two goals difference the second half of the match between the football club “Tbilisi’s Merani” and “Lanchkhuti’s Guria”.

Similarly, on May 19, 2019, the bribed footballers of FC “Wit Georgia” participating in Georgian National Championship higest league, on the basis of preliminary agreement, lost with two goals difference with the FC “Batumi’s Dinamo”.

The members of the organized criminal group and the footballers received sum of money in especially large quantities, in total GEL 93 500, as a result of previously fixed-scores”, – the information of State Security Service reads.

Investigation is carried out on the fact of bribing of sports competition (Article 203, paragraph III and IV of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisage from 4 to 6 years of imprisonment).

Investigation is carried out by the Anti-corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia.