Tbilisi mayor declares hard line after bribery arrest in municipal service

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has condemned corruption within municipal structures following the arrest of an employee of the city-run “Tbilservice Group”, insisting that such offences “will not go unpunished”.

The mayor’s office said the incident underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

“Fighting corruption is one of our priorities,” Kaladze said in a statement. “No offence or unlawful act will be forgiven. All perpetrators will face the appropriate response, and no issue will be left unresolved.”

The employee was detained on November 20 on suspicion of soliciting bribes. 

Investigators allege that he demanded 3,000 lari every two weeks from street vendors in exchange for advance information on inspection activities, assistance in avoiding fines, and the return of confiscated goods.

If convicted, the suspect faces between six and nine years in prison.

By Aghakazim Guliyev