Vladimer Stepanyan, the owner of the “Crystal Group”, was arrested one month ago on charges of legalising a large amount of illegal income and engaging in unlawful entrepreneurial activity. The preventive measure against him has changed, and he was released on bail for 2 million GEL. Additionally, he is prohibited from leaving the country without the prosecutor's consent.
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The businessman has been in custody since 8 November. The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance stated that Stepanyan built five hotel-apartments in the Didveli area of Bakuriani, Borjomi municipality, without proper permits, and as a result, illegally received tens of millions of GEL from their sale. Vladimer Stepanyan is also accused of unlawfully constructing a private ropeway, a private ski slope, and a toboggan run.
“Vladimer Stepanyan confirms that he was unlawfully constructing a hotel-style residential building, using permit documents issued by the relevant services. The aim was to increase income. The income from just one building exceeds 1,890,000 GEL. Overall, five buildings have been constructed in breach of the relevant permit documents. Consequently, it will be ultimately confirmed that the illegal income exceeds several million GEL. [...] Additionally, the facts of cutting down part of the forest massif are recorded for the construction of a cable car," said the prosecutor in the case, David Kapanadze.
After his arrest, Stepanyan was also charged with illegal entrepreneurial activity. According to the prosecutor's office, the businessman deposited part of the money received from the sale of illegally constructed residential premises into the bank accounts of “Bakuriani Business Group” LLC. He transferred part of it to his personal property, after which he purchased real estate/personal property in the name of the enterprise, himself, and related persons.
The ropeway, which was “illegally” set up by Vladimer Stepanyan in 2023, was inspected by former Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili. Now Gharibashvili is also accused of legalising millions of GEL of illegal income and faces a prison sentence of 9 to 12 years.
