Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation into alleged misappropriation of Georgian Technical University property

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has opened an investigation into the alleged illegal appropriation and embezzlement of property belonging to the Georgian Technical University (GTU), following a formal complaint by the university’s rector, David Gurgenidze.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Gurgenidze filed a statement on October 17, alleging that a large portion of real estate owned and used by the Technical University - located at 77 Kostava Street in Tbilisi, including land plots, buildings, and sports facilities - had been unlawfully privatized by the private company Georgian University LLC.

“The Rector of the Georgian Technical University addressed the Prosecutor’s Office on October 17, indicating facts of the illegal privatization of immovable property owned and used by the university,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in an official statement.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department for Combating Corruption Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, under Article 182 (2)(d) and (3)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the misappropriation or embezzlement of large-scale property through abuse of official authority.

The statement also said that the public would be periodically informed about the progress of the investigation and any subsequent legal assessments.

Rector Gurgenidze earlier claimed that the disputed property had been “seized by the family of former President Mikheil Saakashvili” and called for it to be frozen and returned to the Technical University.