The georgia judicial system has sentenced Romeo Mikautadze, a former deputy minister, to ten years in prison following corruption charges. Judge Nino Galustashvili, who previously oversaw trials of anti-government demonstrators, delivered the verdict on Monday. As part of the ruling, Mikautadze’s assets were seized, encompassing a residence in Spain, a property in Mtskheta, and three vehicles registered under his wife’s name.
The Prosecutor General’s Office presented nine accusations against Mikautadze, including money laundering, abuse of power, and illegal business activities. He served as deputy minister of economy from 2021 to 2024, having previously held the role of deputy minister of energy. Investigations revealed that between 2017 and 2024, while in various high-ranking positions, Mikautadze exploited his authority to benefit personally, granting preferential treatment in the energy sector in exchange for shares in hydropower plants.
The prosecution alleged that he unlawfully appointed individuals to public and private organizations for personal gain, resulting in an estimated illegal income of ₾8.5 million ($3.1 million). Mikautadze contested the charges, initially detained in June 2025. This case is part of a broader wave of corruption investigations targeting former senior officials within the Georgian Dream party, including Irakli Gharibashvili and Juansher Burchuladze.
Despite assurances of a firm stance against corruption, some opposition figures suspect underlying power struggles. Grigol Liluashvili, the former head of the State Security Service, was also detained on bribery charges, further fueling these concerns.
Topics: #georgia #former #deputy
Georgia’s court system has imposed a ten-year prison sentence on Romeo Mikautadze, a former deputy minister, due to accusations of corruption. Judge Nino Galustashvili, who had previously presided ove