David Okitashvili, president of the Chamber of Culture of Georgia and an outspoken supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party, has launched a scathing critique against former Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze, as well as the former head of the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG), Mamuka Mdinaradze, who allegedly patronized her.
On his social media accounts, Okitashvili called on the Prosecutor General’s Office and the State Audit Office to release full details regarding the expenditures related to the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. He also directed questions directly at the former minister: “What sums were spent? To whom were state funds transferred? How were procurements conducted, and how targeted was the use of every single tetri? Ms. Tika, where did the millions go?!”
Later, speaking on Palitra News television, Okitashvili declared that “Georgia’s history has never seen such an unworthy minister of culture”:
“This woman tarnished the entire Georgian Dream team and betrayed Georgian Dream together with her Mdinaradze! Mdinaradze was her patron—no one has ever gotten away with anything, and neither this woman nor her patron should get away with this.”
According to Okitashvili, the public has a right to know “what this lady did with the funds.”
“I have worked in the cultural sector for over 30 years. As a representative of this field and as a citizen, this matters to me—I have voiced questions that have troubled the population of Georgia for the past four to five months. I did not speak in affirmative terms. The Ministry of Culture defines cultural policy in our country, and as a member of this community, I have an obligation to know whether she committed this or not!
As for reproaches about where Okitashvili was before and why he did not speak out while Rukhadze was minister—I held back, thereby saving people whom these figures would have simply destroyed, hounded out, and left with families without livelihoods by firing them from their jobs. That is why I approached the situation humanely. When the time came, I spoke out, because literally two or three days ago I was told about all the devastation this woman wrought not only against me, but also against cultural workers. The time will come, and cultural figures will speak out themselves!”
According to Okitashvili, Rukhadze explicitly stated: “You cannot do anything to me, Mamu has my back!” The Georgian Dream supporter believes the pair inflicted colossal damage on the party team:
“The person who nominated this woman for the post of Minister of Culture must be held accountable—and that person was Mamuka Mdinaradze!”
It is worth noting that Tinatin Rukhadze resigned as Minister of Culture in July 2026. She attributed her departure to health issues requiring emergency medical treatment. For his part, Mamuka Mdinaradze announced his exit from politics in August.
The Georgian opposition contends that David Okitashvili’s accusations are intended to prepare public opinion for the politicians’ arrests. In particular, Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, expressed conviction: “Had these statements not been authorized by Bidzina Ivanishvili and, moreover, commissioned by Bidzina Ivanishvili, they simply would not have been made.”
Regarding the Patriarch’s funeral, official data published on the Georgian government’s website indicates that a total of 5,558,006 GEL (approximately $2.06 million) was allocated for the event. Of this sum, 3 million GEL was disbursed to the Ministry of Culture, then headed by Rukhadze; 1.2 million GEL went to the Ministry of Regional Development; and 850,000 GEL was allocated to Tbilisi City Hall.
In mid-September, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated: “According to preliminary data, three million GEL was allocated, of which only 722,000 was spent. If anyone had intended to steal money, they would have utilized all three million.”
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. The Patriarch’s body was taken to Holy Trinity Cathedral, where the faithful paid their respects over several days. Foreign dignitaries, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, attended the ceremony. The funeral took place on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral.
