Bribe-giving in Georgia — Article 339: penalties
Bribe-giving is promising, offering or giving money, property or another undue advantage to an official, or a person treated as one, so that they act in someone's favour in their duties (Article 339). The law punishes not only giving — an offer is enough.
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Possible penalties
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Basic offence | A fine, corrective labour up to 2 years, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or up to 3 years in prison |
| To get an unlawful act done | A fine or imprisonment from 4 to 7 years |
| By an organised group | Imprisonment from 5 to 8 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- A voluntary report — releases from liability
- Whether the offer was really linked to an official act
- Signs of extortion or entrapment
- Lawfulness of covert recordings
If you are accused or arrested
- Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
- Don't sign any document you don't understand
- You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the next 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure
- Decide on compensating the damage or settling with the victim together with your lawyer
If someone asks you for a bribe
- Don't pay, and keep the evidence — messages, recordings, witnesses
- Report it to the prosecutor's office or the police
- A bribe-giver is released from liability if they voluntarily report it to the investigating authority
- Talk to a lawyer before you act
Questions & answers
I was asked for a bribe and paid — what now?
By law, a bribe-giver is released from criminal liability if they voluntarily report it to the investigating authority. Assess the situation with a lawyer before making the report.
I only offered it — is that a crime too?
Yes. Article 339 punishes promising, offering and giving.
What is the penalty for giving a bribe?
For the basic offence — from a fine up to 3 years in prison; to get an unlawful act done — 4 to 7 years; by an organised group — 5 to 8 years.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Corruption and official crimes
Crimes and penalties
Bribe-taking
Article 338An official taking or demanding money or another benefit for an official act. Penalty: 6 to 15 years.Trading in influence
Article 339¹Selling or buying 'connections' — promising, for money, to influence an official's decision. Up to 7 years.Accepting a prohibited gift
Article 340An official accepting a gift the law prohibits. From a fine to 4 years in prison.Official forgery
Article 341An official making a false entry in an official document or issuing a false document. From a fine to 4 years.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
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