A court in Tbilisi on Monday ordered two months of pre-trial detention for Georgia’s former deputy economy minister, who is accused of systematically abusing his position to amass more than 2.5 million lari (US$920,000) in illicit funds with the help of accomplices.
Some of the money he made this way was invested in property abroad, which he declared only after reporters uncovered it.
Romeo Mikautadze, who served as Deputy Economy Minister, was arrested Friday evening by Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS). According to an official statement, Mikautadze allegedly used his position, connections, and experience for personal gain—providing unfair advantages to individuals in the energy sector.
Authorities allege he appointed individuals to roles in state or private organizations—sometimes even fictitious positions—and received payments in return.
“In exchange for providing illegal assistance to these individuals, he received shares in energy companies (hydropower plants), of which he was the actual owner, although the shares were officially registered under trusted associates. As a result of this illegal activity, Romeo Mikautadze obtained income in especially large amounts,” the SSS press release stated.
The statement also noted a significant increase in Mikautadze’s family assets after he entered public service. He held various government posts between 2017 and 2024.
“There is a reasonable assumption that he received a large amount of illegal, undeclared income, which was not reported in official documents, including property declarations,” the statement added. If convicted, Mikautadze could face up to 12 years in prison.
One key property under investigation is a €600,000 apartment in Madrid, registered under the name of Mikautadze’s wife.
The property was first uncovered in 2024 by Studio Monitori, with investigative support from OCCRP. Reporters found that Nino Mikautadze purchased a 120-square-meter apartment in Madrid’s historic district that same year.
A few weeks after the investigation was published, Mikautadze submitted an asset declaration disclosing the property and confirming his wife’s ownership.
Separately, Studio Monitori also revealed that in 2023, while Mikautadze held a senior position at Tbilisi City Hall, his wife acquired a registered cultural heritage site in the historic center of the city.
Contacted by OCCRP, Nino Mikautadze declined to comment.
Romeo Mikautadze has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his wealth stems from a successful professional career.
"I have not committed, do not intend to commit, and will not commit any type of crime or illegal act in the future," he said.
