Ex-Deputy Economy Minister Mikautadze’s Jail Sentence Reduced to 3 Years in Plea Deal

The prison term of Georgia’s former First Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze, previously sentenced to ten years in prison on abuse of office and money laundering charges, was reduced to three years after reaching a plea agreement, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia announced on October 23. According to the agreement, already approved by Tbilisi’s Court of Appeals, Mikautadze was sentenced to three years of imprisonment and a two-year suspended sentence. He was also fined GEL 1 million (USD 385 thousand), banned from holding a public office for three years, and will have multiple assets with a total worth of GEL 5. 54 million (USD 2,1 million) confiscated.

“Convicted former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Romeo Mikautadze admitted to the crimes committed, cooperated with the investigation, expressed remorse, compensated for the damages, and requested a plea agreement,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement. The plea agreement follows reports by the prosecutors that Mikautadze testified in the proceedings of jailed former State Security Service Chief Grigol Liluashvili, including by confirming that he facilitated a bribe for Liluashvili. Liluashvili was subsequently sentenced to 13 years in jail after the court found him guilty in four episodes related to alleged bribery. The confiscated assets include an apartment in Madrid, Spain, a country house in Tserovani, Mtskheta Municipality, a 15% stake in Nakhiduri Hydropower Plant company, three luxury vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG, a Land Rover Range Rover, and a Lexus ES 250, as well as four watches, gold bars, and coins. Mikautadze also fully compensated damage inflicted on Tbilservice Group LLC amounting to GEL 114,658 (USD 44,200), the statement said. Mikautadze was sentenced…