Georgia detains two senior police officials on abuse-of-power charges

Two senior police officials in Georgia’s Adjara Autonomous Republic have been detained on allegations of abusing their authority, according to a statement from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

The ministry said the head of the Shuakhevi District Police, Vako Turmanidze, is accused of falsely implicating four individuals in the theft of a large quantity of timber from his private property, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

Investigators allege that Turmanidze pressured the individuals to compensate him for the supposed loss and threatened them with arrest if they refused. Although the four were not involved in any theft, they reportedly felt compelled to deliver a substantial amount of timber to him.

The head of the detective department of the same district police force was also detained. According to the investigation, he allegedly exploited his position for personal benefit at the Goderdzi ski resort—using official vehicles and directing subordinates to assist him in constructing private cottages.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli