Georgian State Security Service apprehends opposition party member on fraud charges

The Anti-Corruption Agency of Georgia's State Security Service on Wednesday arrested a member of the political council of the opposition United National Movement party. The arrest, made under a court order following investigative actions, is connected to an alleged fraud scheme involving residency permits.

The case centers on the fraudulent acquisition of funds from a foreign citizen in exchange for securing a residency permit in Georgia.

The ongoing investigation has so far revealed that the detainee promised a foreign national that he could secure a one-year residency permit in Georgia through his connections, demanding $5,600 in return.

On May 21, the foreign national transferred a portion of the requested amount to the detainee's account. Subsequently, the detainee made repeated contact with the individual, insistently demanding the remaining payment. As a result, on May 30 and June 12, the individual met with the detainee in Tbilisi and handed over an additional $2,500.

The Service stated that the detainee, with the intent of unlawful appropriation, fraudulently obtained $2,650 from the foreign national out of the demanded $5,600.

The investigation has also involved covert investigative actions conducted under a court order, which have yielded audio and video evidence corroborating the alleged criminal activity.