Top Officials Arrested for Alleged Corruption

The Department for Constitutional Security at the Interior Ministry has arrested Beka Okrostsvaridze, the deputy economy minister, and Lasha Moistsrapishvili, the deputy head of the Economy Ministry’s Privatization Department, for allegedly taking a USD 350,000 bribe.

According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, the alleged bribe was given by Tamaz Machaladze – who has also been arrested – in exchange for selling state-owned property.

“Through a corrupt deal with the above mentioned persons, Tamaz Machaladze purchased state-owned land and buildings on the Rustavi-Tbilisi highway at a low price,” the Georgian Interior Ministry said in a statement on July 30. 

Two other people – alleged to have acted as mediators in the deal – have also been arrested.