Builder faces up to six years in prison for defective building in Tbilisi

The builder of a residential building in Vashlijvari, central Tbilisi, could face a prison sentence of four to six years. The Prosecutor’s Office has revealed that the building, constructed by LLC Tori on Arzakan Emukhvari Street in 2019, was built with substandard quality and in violation of legal regulations.

In late May 2024, 52 families were evicted from the building after cracks were discovered in the load-bearing walls, rendering the structure unfit for habitation. The city hall relocated the displaced residents to rented apartments at the municipality’s expense.

The prosecutor’s office is seeking a prison sentence for the company’s director. The investigation found that cracks appeared in the load-bearing walls as early as 2022, with further deterioration in the concrete over time.

The use of glass fiber reinforcement in the load-bearing structure, which is not permitted under legislation and contradicts government regulations and construction norms, contributed to severe structural damage. The building’s condition was deemed to be of very severe damage and unfit for use.

The investigation has determined that 52 individuals suffered damages amounting to over 10 million GEL.