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Romeo Mikautadze’s lawyer: He does not plead guilty because he did not commit the act he is accused of – he is ready to justify his assets down to the last tetri

Romeo Mikautadze’s lawyer: He does not plead guilty because he did not commit the act he is accused of – he is ready to justify his assets down to the last tetri
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Former Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze, who is accused of abuse of official power and legalization of illegal income, does not admit guilt.

After leaving the building of the State Security Service, Mikautadze’s lawyer, Beka Nemsitsveridze, stated that his client did not commit the crime he is charged with and that he is ready to prove the legitimacy of his assets “down to the last tetri.”

“He does not plead guilty, because he did not commit the act he is accused of. In order for money laundering to be proven, the property in question must have been obtained illegally. He is fully prepared to verify and justify all of his assets, down to the last tetri. He had already expressed his willingness to do so, but unfortunately, the investigative body was not interested in hearing his testimony. He was arrested without even being questioned or given the opportunity to explain his position regarding the suspicions held by the investigators.

We believe the authorities were afraid that his testimony and the documents he could present would dismantle this absurd accusation that was brought against him today.

Before becoming a government official, Romeo Mikautadze had been engaged in successful entrepreneurial activities for many years and had accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. He will provide the relevant documentation, and we will prove in court that the charges against him are absurd and unlawful,” said Nemsitsveridze.

When asked why the properties were registered under others’ names if they were lawfully acquired, the lawyer replied that this is not a crime:

“Some of the family property is jointly owned, but as a public official, he could not register this property in his own name. Therefore, it was registered under the names of other family members. There is nothing criminal about that. His family members can confirm the origin of this property—that it was acquired through legal means. How this will be proven will be heard in court,” the lawyer explained.

Asked whether the defendant would remain silent in court, Nemsitsveridze answered:

“Mikautadze is not staying silent—no one has even asked him anything yet.”

Regarding whether any of his superiors during his time in office—such as the Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili—have been questioned, the lawyer said he does not know yet:

“I received the case files only five minutes ago. I don’t know yet who has been questioned and who hasn’t. Once I review the materials, I’ll be able to answer your questions in detail,” he said.

For context: Romeo Mikautadze was arrested by the State Security Service. According to the agency, Mikautadze used his official position, personal connections, and experience in the energy sector for personal gain, illegally granting undue advantages to certain individuals. In return for these favors, he received shares in energy companies (hydropower plants), in which he was the true owner, though the shares were formally registered under trusted associates.

The agency also stated that during his time as a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mikautadze systematically abused his official power for personal or third-party gain, in violation of public interest, significantly harming the legitimate interests of the state.

According to the State Security Service, Mikautadze's family’s financial standing increased by millions of lari after he assumed office.

They identified a case in which an apartment in Madrid, Spain was purchased for EUR 600,000 using illegal and unsubstantiated income. Additionally, to conceal and disguise the origin of the large amount of illegal property, Mikautadze registered two vehicles worth nearly 1 million GEL under the names of his and his family's trusted associates.

The SSSG stated that the investigation will further clarify the circumstances of Mikautadze’s unlawful income and the episodes of its legalization.

Romeo Mikautadze has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “g” and Article 332, Part 2 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of 9 to 12 years in prison.

For reference, Romeo Mikautadze had been serving as Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development since 2021 and became First Deputy Minister on December 30, 2022, holding that position until February 11, 2024.

Romeo Mikautadze’s lawyer: He does not plead guilty because he did not commit the act he is accused of – he is ready to justify his assets down to the last tetri

Former Deputy Minister of Economy Romeo Mikautadze, who is accused of abuse of official power and legalization of illegal income, does not admit guilt.

After leaving the building of the State Security Service, Mikautadze’s lawyer, Beka Nemsitsveridze, stated that his client did not commit the crime he is charged with and that he is ready to prove the legitimacy of his assets “down to the last tetri.”

“He does not plead guilty, because he did not commit the act he is accused of. In order for money laundering to be proven, the property in question must have been obtained illegally. He is fully prepared to verify and justify all of his assets, down to the last tetri. He had already expressed his willingness to do so, but unfortunately, the investigative body was not interested in hearing his testimony. He was arrested without even being questioned or given the opportunity to explain his position regarding the suspicions held by the investigators.

We believe the authorities were afraid that his testimony and the documents he could present would dismantle this absurd accusation that was brought against him today.

Before becoming a government official, Romeo Mikautadze had been engaged in successful entrepreneurial activities for many years and had accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. He will provide the relevant documentation, and we will prove in court that the charges against him are absurd and unlawful,” said Nemsitsveridze.

When asked why the properties were registered under others’ names if they were lawfully acquired, the lawyer replied that this is not a crime:

“Some of the family property is jointly owned, but as a public official, he could not register this property in his own name. Therefore, it was registered under the names of other family members. There is nothing criminal about that. His family members can confirm the origin of this property—that it was acquired through legal means. How this will be proven will be heard in court,” the lawyer explained.

Asked whether the defendant would remain silent in court, Nemsitsveridze answered:

“Mikautadze is not staying silent—no one has even asked him anything yet.”

Regarding whether any of his superiors during his time in office—such as the Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili—have been questioned, the lawyer said he does not know yet:

“I received the case files only five minutes ago. I don’t know yet who has been questioned and who hasn’t. Once I review the materials, I’ll be able to answer your questions in detail,” he said.

For context: Romeo Mikautadze was arrested by the State Security Service. According to the agency, Mikautadze used his official position, personal connections, and experience in the energy sector for personal gain, illegally granting undue advantages to certain individuals. In return for these favors, he received shares in energy companies (hydropower plants), in which he was the true owner, though the shares were formally registered under trusted associates.

The agency also stated that during his time as a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mikautadze systematically abused his official power for personal or third-party gain, in violation of public interest, significantly harming the legitimate interests of the state.

According to the State Security Service, Mikautadze's family’s financial standing increased by millions of lari after he assumed office.

They identified a case in which an apartment in Madrid, Spain was purchased for EUR 600,000 using illegal and unsubstantiated income. Additionally, to conceal and disguise the origin of the large amount of illegal property, Mikautadze registered two vehicles worth nearly 1 million GEL under the names of his and his family's trusted associates.

The SSSG stated that the investigation will further clarify the circumstances of Mikautadze’s unlawful income and the episodes of its legalization.

Romeo Mikautadze has been charged under Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph “g” and Article 332, Part 2 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of 9 to 12 years in prison.

For reference, Romeo Mikautadze had been serving as Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development since 2021 and became First Deputy Minister on December 30, 2022, holding that position until February 11, 2024.

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