7 Iranians detained for illegal entrepreneurship in Georgia

The Georgian State Security Service (SSS) has detained seven citizens of Iran for illegal entrepreneurship in Georgia, receiving more than 2 million GEL as an unlawful income in one year.

The SSS reported that the individuals were using the so-called Hawala method, making money transfers from Georgia to the banking system of Iran without permit and license, bypassing the banking system of Georgia.

Their income received in one year, as a result of illegal entrepreneurship is estimated at 2, 097, 000 GEL,” the SSS stated.

The agency says that large sums of money, so-called black ledger and PIN pads manufactured in Iran have been seized from the houses and offices of the Iranian citizens, “which is the evidence that illegal entrepreneurship and illicit income legalisation took place in their offices”.

The offence envisages three to five years in prison.