The Tbilisi City Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of Romeo Mikautadze, former First Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, as a precautionary measure.

Judge Arsen Kalatozishvili approved the prosecution’s request for detention, rejecting the defence’s motion to secure Mikautadze’s release on a bail of GEL 100,000.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for August 12.

Mikautadze is charged with abuse of official authority and the legalization of illicit income. According to the State Security Service (SSSG), while holding senior positions in various agencies, he systematically abused his power and received substantial sums of illegal proceeds.

Mikautadze served as First Deputy Minister from 2017 to 2024 and was detained on June 20. He faces charges under Article 332, Part 2, and Article 194, Part 3(c) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry a maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison.