Tbilisi Not to Extradite Georgian MP Sentenced by UAE
Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says that if requested they will not extradite Georgian citizen and MP Gela Mikadze, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 13th article of the Georgian Constitution reads that extradition of a Georgian citizen to a foreign country is prohibited, except in cases outlined by international agreements.
“Georgia’s civil belonging represents the circumstance that serves as an obstacle to the extradition,” the Chief Prosecutor’s Office reports.
Gela Mikadze, Member of the Georgian Parliament from the Alliance of Patriots, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia by the UAE Court for alleged misappropriation of $17.2 million.
According to Business Gulf, the Ras Al Khaimah Criminal Court has sentenced the former Head of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) Khater Massaad and two other former RAKIA executives Gela Mikadze and Giorgi Janashiato 15 years in jail over embezzlement charges.
According to the court ruling, Massaad as well as Gela Mikadze and Giorgi Janashia, who worked with RAKIA Georgia, were also fined $17.2 million in absentia.
Mikadze was ordered by court to pay $12.8 million and Janashia to repay $4.4million, the amount they were accused of “embezzling”, back to RAKIA.
The case concerned signing and later cancelling a joint venture agreement between Poti Sea Port in Georgia (at the time 100 per cent owned by RAKIA) and a newly incorporated company named Raystar Trade LLP in 2010-2011.
Mikadze denies the charges, adding he had no idea the case was heard by the UAE court. He is going to appeal the decision to the court.
RAKIA GEORGIA has issued a statement concerning the issue, saying court disputes against Mikadze are underway in several countries, including Georgia.
The lawyer of the company, Natia Tskepladze hopes the court will make an objective decision.
“Court dispute between my company and MP Gela Mikadze are going on in Georgia as well. Since millions of dollars and property have been misappropriated, we hope that the court will make an objective decision,” she said.
By Thea Morrison