Former Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Georgia's former Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of abuse of office and money laundering.
The verdict was delivered on March 16 by Nino Galustashvili, a judge at Tbilisi City Court. Mikautadze, who has been in pretrial detention since June 2025, did not attend the final hearing. His lawyers say they will appeal the ruling.
According to media reports, the court also ordered the confiscation of Mikautadze's assets, including residences in Spain and in Mtskheta near Tbilisi, as well as three cars registered in his wife's name. He was also banned from holding public office for two years.
According to RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Mikautadze had previously tried to reach a plea agreement. During a court hearing, he said he was ready to admit to "a crime that was never committed" and compensate for what he described as "nonexistent damages." Prosecutors insisted that he fully acknowledge guilt, and the sides failed to reach a deal.
Mikautadze held several senior government posts between 2017 and 2024. He served as first deputy economy minister from 2022 to 2024 under Levan Davitashvili, and earlier as deputy economy minister in 2021-2022 under Natia Turnava. Both served during the tenure of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
He was arrested on June 21, 2025. Investigators accused him of using his position in the energy sector for personal gain, including receiving shares in energy companies and placing individuals in state or private organizations in exchange for financial benefits.
The State Security Service of Georgia said his personal wealth increased by millions of GEL during and after his time in office.
Before his arrest, several journalistic investigations had raised questions about Mikautadze's assets. Reports said his ownership of state land, businesses, apartments, residential buildings, cars, and cryptocurrency appeared far greater than what his official income could explain.
