**Former Georgian Deputy Minister Asks Court to End Detention**
Romeo Mikautadze, a former Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development in Georgia, has spoken out during his court hearing, urging the judge to end his detention. Mikautadze was arrested on June 20 and is being held on charges related to the abuse of official powers.
**Mikautadze Speaks Out**
In a passionate address to the judge, Mikautadze stressed that he had always cooperated with the investigation and that no one in his family had ever considered fleeing or hiding. He emphasized his commitment to Georgia, stating, “I am Georgian, I was born here, and I plan to remain here even a hundred years from now.”
Mikautadze also highlighted his long career in public service, pointing out that he had received the Order of Honor for his contributions. He noted that an audit of his family’s finances is underway to address questions about their income.
**A Request for Mercy**
Mikautadze appealed directly to the judge, asking for mercy and a chance to return to a normal life with his loved ones. He expressed gratitude to his family and supporters for standing by him during this difficult time.
In a poignant moment, Mikautadze spoke about the challenges of being in detention, saying, “I have limited access to visits, phone calls, and letters… My family members, including myself, appeared for questioning at the first possible opportunity. We fully complied with the request not to leave the country – not only me, but also my family members.”
**Charges Against Mikautadze**
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Mikautadze is accused of systematically abusing his official powers, resulting in significant income through illicit means. Specifically, he allegedly helped individuals connected to him through criminal ties to legalize income amounting to 2,556,192 GEL.
Mikautadze faces charges under Article 332 and Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.
**A Plea for Understanding**
As the court considers his request to end detention, Mikautadze made an emotional appeal to the judge, saying, “Give your families more time than you currently do.” His words are a poignant reminder of the human cost of prolonged detention and the importance of understanding and empathy in the judicial process.
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