Georgian prosecutors probe "one-lari" university building sale to Saakashvili’s mother

Georgian authorities have opened an investigation into the alleged illegal appropriation of property belonging to the Georgian Technical University (GTU).

On October 17, GTU Rector David Gurgenidze filed a complaint demanding the confiscation and return of the university’s building, which he claims was seized by the family of former President Mikheil Saakashvili under the previous government, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze later condemned the transaction, revealing that the building had been sold to Saakashvili’s mother for a nominal fee of one lari, calling it a “blatant act of audacity.”

However, the Rector of the University of Georgia, Konstantine Topuria, insisted that the university acquired the property through legal channels and argued that the case against them holds no legal merit.

On October 17, the rector of Georgian Technical University, David Gurgenidze, called for the seizure of assets belonging to the University of Georgia, claiming they were formerly owned by his institution.

“We demand the return of this property to the Technical University and an investigation into profits lost over the years, which should benefit students and staff,” Gurgenidze said.

The University of Georgia, headed by Konstantine Topuria, rejected the claims, stating the property was owned by the Ministry of Economy and lawfully purchased at auction for several million lari. Topuria dismissed allegations of a “one-lari sale” as false.

By Aghakazim Guliyev