As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out by the representatives of the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, criminal prosecution was initiated against 14 persons on the facts of improper use of the state targeted credit and the manufacturing and using forged documents.

Investigation determined that within the framework of the “State Preferential Agro credit” project, the accused persons, during the 2019-2022 years, has received a total of GEL 1 421 000 of targeted agricultural credit from various banking institutions, the main part of the interest of which was financed from the state budget. The credits were to be used for agricultural activities, including the cultivation of perennial crops and the purchase of winery equipment.

It has been determined, that in order to receive illegal material benefits, the accused have used funds improperly, for personal interests, and in order to cover up the criminal activities, they manufactured forged acts of purchase; moreover, private auditors have made false conclusions about the allegedly targeted use of credit.

The amount of damage caused to the state as a result of the abovementioned crime amounted to GEL 182 854. And as a result of the timely investigative activities conducted in the case, the additional damage to the state budget in the amount of GEL 293 469 was avoided.

The relevant activities are being conducted to ensure compensation for the damages caused to the budget.

Investigation is underway under the Articles 208, 210 and 362 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.