The State Security Service has arrested five people on charges of fraudulently embezzling funds intended for free canteens

As a result of operational-search and investigative measures conducted by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service, facts of fraudulently embezzling a large amount of state funds and assisting in the fraudulent embezzlement of a large amount of state funds were revealed.

According to the State Security Service, five people have been arrested based on a judge's ruling: four directors of an entrepreneurial entity and its subcontractor companies and one employee of the company.

"The investigation established that in 2023-2026, a total of 12 agreements were signed between Aladashvili & Co LLC and the Isani, Chugureti, Mtatsminda and Krtsanisi district administrations of Tbilisi, which concerned the state procurement of free canteen services for citizens in difficult social situations, with a total value of 26,513,573 GEL. The director of Aladashvili & Co LLC transferred four of the 22 canteens for management to subcontractor companies: Guide LLC, Bade LLC and Alioni LLC, in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the agreements signed with the administrations." The investigation establishes that the director of Aladashvili & Co. Ltd., together with the aforementioned companies, during the period of validity of the agreements, in 2024, 2025, 2026, served up to 14,451 beneficiaries dishonestly and improperly fulfilled the obligations assumed. In particular, by forging product acceptance and delivery acts, they fraudulently appropriated a large amount of money belonging to the state - 3,529,000 GEL - from 18,909,104 GEL received from the district administrations. The investigation into the above-mentioned act is underway under Article 180, Part Three, Subparagraph “b” and Article 25, Part Three, Subparagraph “b” of Article 180 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for a term of 6 to 9 years. "The Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service continues to work to detect and prevent all types of corruption crimes. Here, we once again warn all entrepreneurs and public officials to carry out their activities in good faith, because any kind of criminal act will be followed by an immediate response from the state, and the fight against corruption will have a permanent and irreversible nature," the State Security Service said at a briefing.