Day: February 5, 2024

The group of doctors under the ombudsman of Georgia issued a conclusion on the state of health of the third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that Saakashvili’s health shows positive dynamics somatically, but cognitive impairment is still a problem. The doctors based their conclusion on the visit to the Vivamedi clinic on January 25.

The doctors note that Saakaashvili has gained some weight and his orthostatic tests are negative, which is an improvement, but the patient still has muscle hypotrophy, neuropathy, anxiety, and depression. According to the group of doctors, the patient needs close medical supervision and psychological intervention.

According to the doctors, the current positive dynamics is due to the supervision and treatment by “highly professional doctors in a multi-professional clinic”. However, all psychoneurological pathologies are still of the same quality.

Therefore, the medical team believes that “the patient’s condition does not yet allow for a solid positive prognosis.” The doctors note that the next visit will be conducted “as needed”.

Also Read:

• 26/01/2024 – Medical Team Under the PD Assesses Saakashvili’s Health
• 10/08/2023 – Doctor’s Team Under the PD: Saakashvili Health Slowly Deteriorating
• 04/04/2023 – Doctors Invited by the Public Defender Asses Saakashvili’s Health

On February 3, the Prosecutor’ Office arrested seven people, the members of the organized crime group, for setting up and organizing the fraudulent call centers. On February 4, the Tbilisi City Court remanded all seven individuals in custody.

In its statement, the Prosecutor’s Office says that in order to uncover transnational fraud call centers and people involved in their activity, large-scale actions were carried out on the territory of Georgia on July 18, 2023, and February 1, 2024, with the participation of relevant Swiss agencies and with the support of Eurojust, the EU agency for criminal justice cooperation. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, during these actions, in the capital city of Tbilisi, some fraudulent call centers, dozens of physical persons, their residences, cars and workplaces were searched.

The investigation revealed that the organized crime group’s activities included establishing companies in Georgia and then organizing the fraudulent call centers on their bases. The criminals created electronic trading platforms that gave the impression of legitimate investment companies and promised people profitable financial deals. In reality, they received and laundered large amounts of fraudulently obtained money.

In particular, the members of the organized crime group fraudulently obtained several million francs from Swiss citizens. The crime group members then transferred the money to their bank accounts and used it for various purposes, including the purchase of real estate.

The Prosecutor’s Office has frozen GEL 5 million (approximately $1,845,000) of the defendants’ assets, including real estate, so that they cannot further dispose of or conceal them.

Those arrested face charges of fraud and money laundering, which carry sentences of nine to twelve years in prison.

Also Read:

• 25/12/2023 – Prosecutor’s Office Initiates Criminal Proceedings Against Organizers of Transnational Crime Linked to Call Centers
• 09/11/2023 – Georgian Prosecutor’s Office and International Cooperation Expose Transnational Fraud
• 12/04/2023 – BBC Investigation Links Kezerashvili to a Global Scam Network
• 18/02/2022 – Five Arrested in Alleged International Fraud Scheme