The former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Romeo Mikautadze, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

By the judge’s decision, Romeo Mikautadze will have confiscated his apartment in Spain, a house in Mtskheta, cars — a Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, and Lexus — a 1,200 sq. m. plot of land, a 15% share in the company “Nakhiduri,” as well as other seized items.

According to the prosecution, Mikautadze systematically abused his official powers, which was accompanied by the receipt of particularly large amounts of income.

Specifically, the accused, with the help of persons connected to criminal activity, illegally and unjustifiably legalized large amounts of income totaling 2,556,192 lari.

Georgian law enforcement authorities detained the former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development on June 20.

He has been charged under several articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 333, concerning the abuse of official powers, which resulted in the violation of the rights of individuals or legal entities and the lawful interests of society or the state.

He has also been charged under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code, concerning the abuse of official powers by a person holding a state or political office.

Mikautadze is also charged under Article 337 of the Criminal Code, which involves participation by an official or an equivalent person in the management of an enterprise, institution, or organization, despite a prohibition, for the purpose of obtaining illegal benefits and advantages.

Additionally, Mikautadze is charged under subparagraph “g” of Part 3 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code, concerning the legalization of illegal income (money laundering), which was accompanied by the receipt of particularly large amounts of income.