Georgia's Anti-Corruption Agency announced on July 30 the detention of Lasha Tsanava, a member of the political council of the United National Movement party. Emzar Gagnidze, the agency's director, stated that Tsanava faces charges of defrauding a foreign citizen by promising to assist them in obtaining a Georgian residence permit in exchange for money. The crime carries a potential prison sentence of four to seven years.

According to the investigation, Tsanava promised the foreign citizen that he could secure an annual residence permit through his connections and demanded $5,600. The citizen transferred a portion of the funds to Tsanava’s bank account on May 21, 2025. Following this, Tsanava persistently contacted the individual to obtain the remaining amount. During personal meetings in Tbilisi on May 30 and June 12, the foreign citizen handed over an additional $2,500. In total, Tsanava is accused of fraudulently appropriating $2,650 of the promised sum.