Five people face prison terms of 6 to 9 years over embezzling more than 3.5 million GEL from Tbilisi’s free canteen programs.
According to the State Security Service, the case concerns services provided to up to 14,500 beneficiaries under 12 contracts signed between 2023 and 2026.
The districts of Isani, Chugureti, Mtatsminda, and Krtsanisi had contracted Aladashvili & Co. Ltd. to provide free canteen services to citizens in difficult social situations, paying a total of 26,513,573 GEL. The company operated 22 canteens, four of which were subcontracted to Gidi Ltd., Bade Ltd., and Alioni Ltd.
The State Anti-Corruption Bureau said the companies forged delivery and acceptance documents, illegally taking 3,529,000 GEL from the 18,909,104 GEL received from the district administrations.
The directors of the companies and one employee have been detained.
The case is being investigated under Article 180, Part Three, Subparagraph “B” (fraud) and Article 25, Part Three, Subparagraph “B” (attempted fraud) of the Criminal Code.
