Georgia’s prosecutor general announces furniture company founder wanted by law enforcement

The prosecutor general’s office of Georgia on Wednesday announced Vazha Meladze, the  founder of Meladze Interior furniture company who has been charged with money embezzlement, was wanted by the country’s law enforcement.

The state body said Meladze, arrested in the summer with the charge of embezzlement of ₾473,252 ($172,934), had later been released on a ₾7,000 ($2,557) bail, ordered to hand over his passport to the investigative body before the announcement of the court decision, and banned from crossing the state border without the permission of the prosecutor or investigator in the case.

Despite the ban, Meladze managed to hide from law enforcement agencies several days ago, which has led to the prosecutor general’s office requesting the court replace his restraining measure with imprisonment.

The state body said members of the criminal group in the case, which includes Meladze’s wife and another individual, had also fraudulently embezzled money from 26 citizens through agreements for producing furniture items.

Meladze’s wife has also left the territory of the country to avoid law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office added.