TBILISI, January 31 – Georgia’s interior ministry has arrested a police officer on suspicion of taking a bribe in the coastal city of Batumi, authorities said on Saturday.
The General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia said the suspect was detained under a court order on charges of accepting a bribe.
According to the ministry, the officer served in the Protection Police Department of Georgia and was assigned to an area of Batumi Boulevard. Investigators say the officer allegedly took money from a citizen in exchange for providing protection to unauthorized street trading in his area of responsibility.
The General Inspectorate said the suspect was detained as a defendant following investigative actions carried out by its officers.
The investigation is being conducted under an article of the Criminal Code which carries a possible prison sentence of six to nine years.
