The Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service (SSS) has arrested Lasha Tsanava, a member of the political council of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party.
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According to Emzar Gagnidze, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, who held a briefing today, the case involves fraud. Specifically, Tsanava is accused of deceiving a foreign citizen and unlawfully appropriating money in exchange for promising to secure a residence permit in Georgia.
"The investigation at this stage has revealed that L.T. promised a foreign citizen to secure a one-year residence permit in Georgia through his connections, for which he demanded $5,600. On May 21, 2025, the aforementioned foreign citizen, at L.T.'s request, transferred a part of the mentioned amount to his account.
Following this, L.T. systematically contacted him, persistently demanding the remaining amount. As a result, on May 30, 2025, and June 12, 2025, during meetings with L. T. in Tbilisi, the individual handed over an additional $2,500.
Thus, L.T., with the aim of unlawful appropriation, fraudulently seized $2,650 from the foreign citizen out of the $5,600 he demanded," Emzar Gagnidze stated.
Gagnidze added that, during the investigation, covert investigative actions were carried out based on a court order. These actions yielded audio and video evidence of the alleged criminal activity.
The investigation is being conducted under Article 19,180 Part 2, Sub-point "b" of the Criminal Code, which pertains to attempted fraud causing significant damage. The offense carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.
