“Romeo Mikautadze’s detention has no link with the fight against corruption. He was the chief treasurer of a black cash box during Garibashvili (former PM). It seems Irakli Kobakhidze (current PM) wants to relocate money stolen from the Georgian people from one pocket into another,” said Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) party.

Levan Sanikidze believes the case concerns the internal conflict between clans.

“This is internal confrontation among clans. Ivanishvili’s party is not a monolith and I believe this internal conflict should be better used by the democratic society,” he said.

The Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), through operative-investigation measures, detained Romeo Mikautadze, former Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development on the charge of misuse of official duties, and legalization of illegal revenues in the amount of several million GEL. Romeo Mikautadze faces from 9 to 12 years in prison if found guilty.