Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) says it has arrested a former law enforcement officer accused of fraud after allegedly using the names of senior officials to extort GEL 11,300 from the families of two jailed defendants.
The SSG alleges the suspect claimed to have connections with the head of the State Security Service, Gela Geladze, and Tsotne Ivanishvili, the son of Georgian Dream honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili. Investigators say the suspect promised to secure the defendants’ release and arrange plea agreements in exchange for money.
The agency did not identify the former law enforcement officer or disclose the identities of the defendants involved in the case.
The SSG also did not specify who reported the alleged fraud to investigators or when the alleged offense took place.
The investigation is underway under Article 180, Part 3(b) of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of six to nine years upon conviction.
