Lasha Letodiani, chair of the ‘People’s Power’ faction in the Tsageri Municipal Council, has been charged with supporting the activities of the “criminal underworld.”
Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office charged Letodiani under Part 2 of Article 223³ of the Criminal Code, which concerns supporting the activities of the “criminal underworld.”
Letodiani does not admit guilt, his lawyer told Netgazeti. The defense has requested bail of GEL 10,000 as a preventive measure.
‘People’s Power’ participated in the 2024 parliamentary elections and the 2025 local elections as part of the ruling Georgian Dream-led coalition. After opposition parties refused to take part in parliamentary activities, the party moved into opposition to Georgian Dream.
Letodiani is among 29 people arrested as part of a large-scale investigation into alleged links to the “criminal underworld.” Three additional suspects have been charged in absentia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the operation on July 8.
At a briefing, Central Criminal Police Department Director David Kiknadze said investigators had arrested 29 people linked to the “thieves’ world,” while one “thief in law” living abroad was among those charged in absentia.
Kiknadze said investigators allege the suspects threatened citizens and their family members with physical violence, injury, and death if they failed to meet imposed obligations or deadlines. He did not specify Letodiani’s alleged role in the scheme.
The investigation is ongoing under Articles 223¹, 223³, 223⁴, and 236 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. If convicted, the suspects face up to 15 years in prison.
