**Former Georgian Deputy Minister Remains in Custody**
Romeo Mikautadze, a former high-ranking government official, is still being held in custody. The decision was made by Judge Mzia Garshaulishvili of Tbilisi City Court. Mikautadze, who served as the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, has been accused of serious crimes.
The court extended the pre-investigation period in the case against Mikautadze, which means that he will remain in custody for now. The prosecution argued that there are still many investigative actions to be conducted, including questioning witnesses and examining properties owned by Mikautadze. The prosecutor also expressed concern that if released, Mikautadze might try to flee or influence witnesses with whom he has close connections.
Mikautadze’s relatives were present in the courtroom during the hearing. His wife was asked to leave after she made some remarks, but Mikautadze quickly responded by saying, “He’s her husband—sorry, she couldn’t hold back.”
The defense team disagreed with the prosecution’s motion and requested that Mikautadze be released on bail. They proposed a bail amount of 100,000 GEL and suggested additional restrictive measures, such as mandatory appearances before investigative authorities and electronic monitoring.
However, the judge ultimately granted the prosecution’s motion and decided to keep Mikautadze in custody. This means that he will remain behind bars until further notice.
**Background on the Case**
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Mikautadze systematically abused his official authority, resulting in the acquisition of particularly large amounts of income. Investigators allege that he illegally laundered 2,556,192 GEL with the help of individuals connected to him through criminal ties. If convicted, Mikautadze faces up to 12 years in prison.
The prosecution’s case against Mikautadze is serious and complex. The fact that the judge decided to keep him in custody suggests that the investigation is ongoing and that the prosecution has strong evidence to support their claims.
**Expert Analysis**
“It’s not surprising that the judge granted the prosecution’s motion,” said a local expert on Georgian politics. “The case against Mikautadze is significant, and the prosecution has presented strong arguments for keeping him in custody.”
However, some observers have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial process. “There are questions about the transparency and impartiality of the investigation,” said another expert. “We need to see more evidence and a clearer explanation of how Mikautadze’s rights are being protected during this period.”
The outcome of the case will be closely watched by observers, both domestically and internationally.
