Ex-deputy economy minister Mikautadze sentenced to three years in prison under plea deal

Former Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze has been sentenced to three years in prison under a plea agreement after admitting to abuse of official authority, illegal participation in business activities, exceeding official powers and money laundering involving particularly large amounts of illegal and unsubstantiated income, Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday.

Mikautadze admitted the offences, cooperated with investigators, expressed remorse and compensated the state for the damage caused before requesting a plea agreement.

The Tbilisi Court of Appeals approved the agreement and issued a judgment without a full trial.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mikautadze was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and an additional two years of suspended sentence. He was also fined GEL 1 million and barred from holding appointed positions in public service for three years.

The court ordered the confiscation, in favour of the state, of several assets, including an apartment in Madrid, Spain, valued at GEL 1.88 million, a country house in Tserovani, Mtskheta Municipality, valued at GEL 372,720, a 15% stake in Nakhiduri HPP LLC valued at GEL 1.58 million, and three vehicles - a Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG, a Land Rover Range Rover and a Lexus ES 250.

Other confiscated assets include four watches valued at GEL 630,110, gold bars worth GEL 99,504 and coins valued at GEL 19,770.

Mikautadze also fully reimbursed Tbilisi’s municipal services company, Tbilservice Group, for damages amounting to GEL 114,658.08, the Prosecutor’s Office said.