Georgia’s ruling party official vows “zero tolerance” for corruption following former official's arrest

In response to the arrest of Romeo Mikautadze, a former high-ranking official, Mamuka Mdinaradze - the parliamentary majority leader and Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party - made a strong statement reaffirming the Government’s uncompromising stance on corruption.

In his remarks, Mdinaradze declared that any public servant, even if they are part of the ruling team, would be held accountable before the law if found guilty of corruption.

“If anyone crosses the line, the state will be absolutely intolerant. Corruption harms every one of us - politicians, citizens - and drags the country backward. Without violating the presumption of innocence or naming individuals, I say this clearly: if a verdict proves wrongdoing, the law will be enforced - no exceptions”, the ruling party official said.

He highlighted the ruling party’s ambition to place Georgia among the world’s top three nations in anti-corruption rankings - not in decades, but in the near future.

“This is not about harsh showdowns or theatrical arrests like previous governments did. Our approach is firm but principled. Whatever the media speculates, we are united in this stance across all branches - executive, legislative, and beyond”, he noted.

He further underlined that corruption was one of the main obstacles to national progress.

“I am confident that the judiciary will also make a positive, lawful contribution in the fight against corruption. That’s why I say with full confidence: if corruption still exists in this country, as it does to some degree in every country, we are moving forward in this direction, but I warn everyone: do not be tempted! Our approach is not about harsh, staged, and theatrical measures like the previous government used. No, we won't do that. But if anyone is tempted, the state will be unforgiving, because it harms every one of us, as politicians, as citizens, and it drags the country backward”, he noted.

He also noted that if there was anything that could act as an obstacle, corruption was one of the main ones.

“Our children must learn that it’s possible to live - and govern - honestly. That a politician or public official, even one managing billions, can remain incorrupt. We can and must destroy the stereotype that holding power means gaining personal wealth”, Mdinaradze concluded.

Tbilisi City Court on Monday ordered pre-trial detention for Mikautadze. The Prosecutor’s Office has charged Mikautadze with abuse of official authority and legalisation of illegal income.

According to an investigation by the State Security Service, Mikautadze systematically abused his power while holding various high-ranking positions in different government agencies, resulting in the accumulation of substantial illicit income.