Former Lentekhi Mayor Among Three Arrested on Abuse of Office Charges
2026-02-23 - 14:15
Authorities detained Gia Oniani, former mayor of the western Georgian town of Lentekhi, along with Nugzar Tvildiani and Giorgi Gulbani, heads of the municipality’s architecture and supervision services, on charges of abusing office, which carry up to three years in prison. The Prosecutor General’s Office said in a February 23 statement that the charges stem from the construction of a hotel that allegedly violated building regulations. The statement said Oniani purchased land and commissioned the hotel project, which failed to meet mandatory building standards. Using a company registered in his wife’s name, he submitted the project to the Lentekhi Municipality City Hall’s Architecture Service, headed by Nugzar Tvildiani, and requested a construction permit. According to prosecutors, Oniani and Tvildiani abused their offices by issuing permits “inconsistent with legislation” while ignoring legislative requirements, failing to account for a cultural heritage monument at the site, and bypassing approval from the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation. Gulbani, Oniani’s relative and head of the Supervision Service, allegedly allowed the illegal construction to continue instead of halting it, the statement added. Two years ago, the independent investigative journalism group iFact examined the hotel project, alleging that Oniani had abused his authority. The arrest comes amid a series of anti-corruption actions by the Georgian Dream government targeting former members, including top officials and business associates. Critics, however, say the moves reflect internal political infighting rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort. Also Read: 27/01/2026 – Georgia’s Ex-Deputy Health Minister Arrested on Abuse of Office Allegations 29/12/2025 – MIA Says Ex-Prosecutor General Partskhaladze Organized High-Profile Contract Killing 23/07/2025 – Georgian Dream Resignation Streak: Who Left and Why 14/07/2025 – Georgian Dream’s Ex-Officials and Business Associates in Hot Water