One charged with abuse of office, three dismissed from Georgia’s Interior Ministry agency

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has charged one individual with abuse of official authority, while three others have been dismissed following an internal investigation, the body said on Saturday.

The Ministry added the case was uncovered by the General Inspection department after a series of investigative and operational measures.

Prosecutors allege that an employee of the Ministry’s Service Agency misused their official position while administering practical driving tests. The suspect is accused of deliberately failing candidates and directing them to an associate for additional driving lessons, from which they are said to have received financial benefit.

During the course of the criminal investigation, authorities said evidence also emerged of disciplinary violations by three other Service Agency employees.

An internal review found that the individuals had improperly issued driving licences to three citizens. As a result, all three employees have been dismissed from their positions.