As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out by employees of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia, charges were brought against 13 persons in four separate criminal cases involving the fraudulent misappropriation of state-owned land plots.

The total area of the land plots fraudulently misappropriated by the accused persons exceeds 11,929 square meters, and their total value exceeds GEL 1,025,719.

In the first criminal case, investigation determined that one of the accused persons fraudulently misappropriated two state-owned land plots located in the village of Gldani, Tbilisi, by manufacturing and using forged delivery-acceptance acts. The total area of the plots is 1,000 square meters, and their market value exceeds GEL 116,000.

Furthermore, the investigation conducted in the case, including covert investigative actions, revealed facts of the fraudulent misappropriation of state-owned land plots by a group acting upon prior agreement, as well as facts of aiding fraud through the making and use of forged official documents.

In the second criminal case, investigation determined that eight accused persons fraudulently registered state-owned land plots located in the village of Gldani, Tbilisi, by submitting forged documents confirming ownership rights to the LEPL National Agency of Public Registry. The total area of the land plots is 2,000 square meters, and their value amounts to GEL 733,760. The above-mentioned land plots have been fully alienated.

In the third criminal case, investigation determined that two persons deliberately provided false information to the LEPL National Agency of Public Registry in order to register land plots, misled the registration authority and fraudulently misappropriated two state-owned land plots located in Nijgori village, Aspindza Municipality. The total area of the land plots is 1,840 square meters, and their value amounts to GEL 12,912.

In the fourth criminal case, investigation determined that the accused persons fraudulently misappropriated state-owned land plots located in one of the municipalities of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region by deliberately providing false information to the registration authority. The total area of the land plots is 7,089 square meters, and their value amounts to GEL 163,047.

In addition, as a result of investigative activities, attempts by the above-mentioned persons to fraudulently misappropriate state-owned land plots located in the same region were thwarted. The total area of these plots is 10,321 square meters, and their market value amounts to GEL 150,660.

Investigation Service continues taking relevant measures to examine the legality of the registration of other land plots and identify other persons who may have been involved in the crimes. Investigation is underway under Part 3 of Article 180 and Article 362 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisage imprisonment from 6 to 9 years, as well as under Part 2 of Article 180, which envisages imprisonment from 6 to 9 years.