Georgia Issues Nationwide Search for Former Prosecutor General Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Georgia's Prosecutor General has issued a nationwide search warrant for former Prosecutor General Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze, who is currently in Russia, as part of an ongoing investigation into the murder of businessman Levan Jangveladze. Once domestic procedures are complete, Partskhaladze will be placed on Interpol's Red Notice list.
Tbilisi City Court decided to place Partskhaladze in pre-trial detention in absentia. The former Prosecutor General did not attend the hearing, as he left Georgia in June 2025. Prosecutor Levan Vepkhvadze explained that witnesses and expert testimony confirm the case's facts, and cited risks that Partskhaladze might flee, commit new crimes, or influence witnesses.
"The use of bail as a preventive measure would not deter Partskhaladze," Vepkhvadze said. The defense, however, argued against detention. Lawyer Gagi Mosiashvili claimed there was no basis for preventive detention, noting that the 32-volume case contains only three witnesses, whose testimony is already known to the court. Partskhaladze does not admit the charges.
He has been charged under Article 25/109, Subsection N of Georgia's Criminal Code, which covers organizing premeditated murder by order and for profit. The offense carries a sentence of 16 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
Vepkhvadze said the case includes testimonies from Russian citizens who were friends of Jangveladze. "These witnesses confirm that Levan Jangveladze had conflicts with Partskhaladze and others, including the Mikadzes, over business matters. Because of this, Jangveladze took certain security measures," Vepkhvadze stated. He noted that some details cannot be disclosed before the full court proceedings.
Gela Udzilauri has already been convicted of the premeditated murder of Jangveladze and sentenced to life imprisonment. Separate cases related to the murder are ongoing, with Giorgi Mikadze, Mamuka Baghdavadze, Giorgi Kachkachashvili, and Sandro Tsivtsivadze detained, while Davit Mikadze and Giorgi Jokhadze have been declared wanted.
