As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out by the representatives of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia, two individuals have been detained in connection with two separate corruption-related criminal cases.

As a result of investigative activities carried out in coordination with the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti District Prosecutor’s Office, one person was detained on the fact of commercial bribery.

The investigation determined that the accused, who was employed at the Service Center of the Poti Municipality City Hall, abused his official position for the purpose of obtaining personal financial benefit.

In exchange for arranging earthworks on a land plot using special machinery owned by the municipality, he unlawfully demanded and received GEL 400 from a citizen.

The investigation is underway under Article 221, Paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from two to four years.

In another case, the representatives of the Investigation Service detained one individual on charges of demanding and taking a bribe.

The investigation determined that a ranger of the Agency of Protected Areas, employed at Javakheti Protected Areas, demanded and received GEL 600 as a bribe from a citizen in exchange for allowing the extraction of fertile topsoil from a state-owned forest area, with the aim of obtaining unlawful material benefit. The accused person was detained immediately after taking the bribe. The investigation is underway under Article 338, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages for imprisonment from six to nine years.

Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia will continue a strict criminal justice policy against corruption and financial and economic crimes in the future.