The Georgian Government Administration has issued a statement regarding expenses for the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, amid allegations leveled against former Minister of Culture Tamar Rukhadze and former Head of the State Security Service (SGB) Mamuka Mdinaradze.
According to the statement, of the 3 million GEL (approximately $1.15 million) initially allocated from the state budget for the funeral arrangements, 722,645 GEL was spent, with the remaining 2,277,355 GEL returned to the budget.
The Government Administration noted that a total of 26 contracts were signed to organize the Patriarch’s farewell ceremony. A substantial portion of the funds was directed toward technical equipment, venue arrangement, and live broadcast services.
In addition, several companies reportedly provided services at discounted rates, while individuals involved in staging the event, including the director and the artistic-performance ensemble (singers, choristers, etc.), did not receive any honoraria.
Earlier, Davit Okitashvili, a vocal supporter of the Georgian Dream party and president of the Georgian Chamber of Culture, appealed via social media to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the State Audit Office to disclose full financial details concerning Ilia II’s funeral. He also directed questions at former Minister of Culture Tamar Rukhadze: “What amounts were spent? To whom were state funds disbursed? How were procurements conducted, and how targeted was the use of every single tetri? Ms. Tika, where did the millions go?!”
Okitashvili further claimed that Rukhadze was patronized by Mamuka Mdinaradze, who previously held key state posts. By the time the criticism surfaced, both politicians had resigned from their offices and exited politics. Critical media outlets and the opposition suggested at the time that the allegations against Rukhadze and Mdinaradze were intended to lay the groundwork for their detention.
