The State Security Service of Georgia [SSSG] has detained Lasha Tsanava, a member of the political council of the United National Movement [UNM], on charges of fraudulently obtaining money from a foreign national in exchange for promising to secure a residence permit in Georgia.

“The investigation conducted at this stage has revealed that L.T. promised to provide a foreign citizen with a 1-year residence permit in Georgia through his connections, in return for which he demanded USD 5,600.

On May 21, 2025, the mentioned foreign citizen transferred part of the amount to his account at L.T.’s request. After that, L.T. systematically contacted him and insisted on paying the remaining amount.

As a result, the said person gave him an additional USD 2,500 during meetings with L.T. in Tbilisi on May 30 and June 12, 2025.

In total, L.T. fraudulently acquired USD 2,650 of the promised USD 5,600

It is also important that within the framework of the investigation, based on the court ruling, covert investigative actions were carried out, as a result of which audio/video evidence of the commission of the aforementioned criminal act was obtained”, - says the SSSG.

The investigation into the aforementioned criminal act [fraud] is underway under Article 19,180, Part 2, subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.