The Tbilisi City Court has imposed detention as a preventive measure on Romeo Mikautadze, the former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development.

This decision was made by Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili, who fully upheld the prosecution’s motion.

At today’s court hearing, the prosecution sought the application of the strictest preventive measure against the detained former high-ranking official, while the defense proposed a bail of 100,000 GEL.

The court proceedings were attended by the accused, Romeo Mikautadze, who exercised his right to make a statement and declared that he had no intention of committing any crime.

"I had no intention of committing a crime, I do not have such an intention, and I never will. I am confident in the integrity of the court," Romeo Mikautadze stated.

For context, according to the prosecution’s charges, Romeo Mikautadze systematically abused his official powers, which was accompanied by obtaining particularly large amounts of income. Specifically, with the assistance of individuals involved in criminal activities, the accused legalized 2,556,192 GEL in illegal and unjustified income.

Law enforcement authorities detained the former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development on June 20. He faces charges under Article 332, Part 2, and Article 194, Part 3, Subparagraph "g" of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provide for a penalty of up to 12 years of imprisonment.