Tbilisi City Court ruled imprisonment for Koba Gabunia, former Deputy Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister, as a preventive measure, Judge Nino Khujadze announced.

The prosecutor substantiated Gabunia’s misuse of official duties by written documentation and testimonies of 7-8 individuals, who have the status of victims in the case.

According to the investigation, Koba Gabunia gave preference to Lagi Capital company and issued an advance payment for the construction of kindergartens that were never built, while the government sustained material damage.

The prosecution stated that Gabunia’s imprisonment would ensure the risks amid the charged former official’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation, while the defence insisted on his bailing out for GEL 400 000.

“I have never benefited from material profit ever in my life. In this particular case, I may have missed something. I should have paid more attention. There wasn’t just one company; there were many, there were many tenders, work was ongoing, but I had no interest.

The advance payment from the government is a form of attitude to put every company in equal conditions for each to demonstrate hardwork and commitment. However, regrettably, this company misappropriated the amount by swindling,” Koba Gabunia said in his concluding speech.

The next trial is scheduled for December 18.