As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out by the representatives of 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 26 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 2018-2022 years, has received a total of GEL 1 789 440 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, encompassing the cultivation of perennial crops, as well as purchase of winery equipment, small livestock, construction of farms and warehouse facilities.

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 227 748. And as a result of the investigative activities conducted in the case, the additional damage to the state budget in the amount of GEL 238 709 was avoided.

At this stage of investigation, the accused have compensated the damage in the amount of GEL 179 442. 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.