The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia reported the detention of former Deputy Health Minister Ilia Gudushauri on charges of abuse of official powers. According to the agency, at the time of his position, the detainee also served as the chairman of the procurement tender commission of the ministry.

The investigation established that on September 27, 2022, the Ministry for Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health, and Social Affairs of Georgia announced a tender for the purchase of vehicles for the emergency medical service.

“Three companies participated in the tender, and one of them, offering the lowest price — 8,525,876 lari — was recognized as the winner. This tender was canceled based on an unlawful order from Deputy Minister Ilia Gudushauri. He abused his official powers to provide an advantage to another company. On May 10, 2023, a new tender was announced under his instructions, with conditions tailored for a specific bidder, preventing other companies from participating. The ministry unjustifiably paid the pre-selected company 2,138,196 lari, significantly violating the lawful interests of the state,” emphasized Guga Tavberidze, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Finance Investigative Service, at a press conference.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (abuse of official powers).

It is worth noting that the brother of the detained former official — Vladimir Gudushauri, former head of the Defense Ministry Procurement Department — was detained several months ago. Later, the official accused of embezzlement was released on bail of 10,000 lari.