Switzerland Embassy expresses confidence in Georgia’s Defence Ministry amid embezzlement scandal

Switzerland has full confidence in Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Alasania and the capacity of his team to fully cooperate with a transparent and thorough investigation on alleged misuse of public finances.

Five men – four current Ministry employees and one former official – have been accused of misspending 4.1 million GEL. Details of the case are classified so limited information can be published.

In response to this case, the Embassy of Switzerland released a statement that said the investigation into the alleged misspending should be transparent and thorough. The investigation should also adhere to the rule of law and be implemented according to the highest standards in terms of separation of powers, it said.

"Georgia and Switzerland are close partners in promoting human rights, democratic development, sustainable economic development, peace and security. Political stability and the fight against corruption at all levels of society and everywhere are crucial in order for our partner country to address the huge challenges it is facing,” the Embassy’s statement read.

The five men accused of misspending 4.1 million GEL of state funds are currently being held in detention at Tbilisi City Court.

Yesterday, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia claimed the men arranged a sham tender in 2013 to lay a fiber optic cable and procure networking equipment.

The Office claimed the men violated the Georgian tender laws when they "gave an advantage” to Silknet, one of the country’s largest telecommunications operators, as the Ministry signed a 6.7 million GEL contract when the services were worth 2.6 million GEL.

If found guilty, the alleged offenders could face a prison sentence from seven to 11 years. No other details of the case can be published at this stage.

Meanwhile, yesterday the Ministry released a statement that said it was ready to declassify some information about its procurement procedures to help the investigation.