United opposition to nominate ex-Tbilisi mayor Ugulava for Poti mayor

The united opposition, which currently includes the United National Movement (UNM), European Georgia, Droa and Girchi-More Freedom opposition parties, ‘are very likely’ to nominate former Tbilisi mayor under the UNM Gigi Ugulava for mayor of Poti in western Georgia in the October 2 municipal race, UNM head Nika Melia stated earlier today. 

• Four opposition parties present joint candidates for Tbilisi City Assembly
• Opposition parties put forward Melia for Tbilisi mayor, Droa leader Khoshtaria for Sakrebulo chair

Melia said that Ugulava, who had to spend several years in prison for embezzlement of state funds while in office, ‘is a very experienced politician and he should be involved in the elections which carry a big importance.’

Ugulava served as Tbilisi mayor between 2005 and 2013.

He was arrested back in 2014 for embezzling more than four million lari in public funds between 2010 and 2011. 

The prosecution said that the money was used to create 800 fictitious job positions within municipal service Tbilservice Group, through which funds were then funneled to pay the salaries of UNM party activists. 

He was released in 2017 and soon became the secretary general of a newly created European Georgia opposition party. 

In February 2020 Ugulava was sentenced to three years and two months in prison for the embezzlement of 48 million GEL from the Tbilisi Municipal Development Fund while in office.

However, to prevent political escalation in the country, President Salome Zurabishvili pardoned him and another opposition leader Irakli Okruashvili in May of the same year. 

Ugulava left European Georgia after the 2020 parliamentary elections because of controversies with the head of the party Giga Bokeria on the party’s future.