Opposition Leader Ugulava Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

The Supreme Court has found one of the opposition leaders, Gigi Ugulava, guilty of embezzling funds, in particular, GEL 48 million, and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The Court satisfied the prosecution's motion, according to which, Ugulava embezzled funds from the Tbilisi Development Fund, a non-commercial legal entity founded by the City Hall, the purpose of which is to preserve the historic look of the City and promote the growth of real estate value.

The opposition leader was initially arrested in July 2014 for the misappropriation of funds and embezzlement. He was sentenced to seven-month pre-trial detention. After this, in September 2015, he was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison. This prison term was commuted to four years and six months.

On January 4, the Appellate Court re-qualified the article and his sentence was shortened by three years and three months. 

He was released from prison on January 6, 2017, on the basis of a verdict by the Tbilisi Appellate Court. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

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