TI: Senaki Mayor Awarded Over 7 Million in Public Procurements to Friend and Business Partner's Father

A company owned by the father of Senaki Mayor Vakhtang Gadelia's former business partner and friend, Giorgi Apakidze, has been awarded 20 tenders totaling ₾5,293,214 ($1,960,450) and 14 simplified procurements worth ₾1,821,626 ($674,676) from the Senaki Municipality since Gadelia took office in 2021, according to data released by Transparency International (TI) Georgia. The firm, Apo LLC, is owned by Amiran Apakidze.

Apo LLC was established in 2014, with Amiran Apakidze as its sole owner and manager. According to research by Transparency International Georgia, during this period, the company won 99 tenders worth a total of ₾13,060,144 ($4,837,090) and received 42 simplified procurements valued at ₾3,289,633 ($1,218,382).

“Of the tenders won, Apo LLC faced no competition in 41, and secured 14 procurements due to the disqualification of competitors.

Vakhtang Gadelia, the current mayor of Senaki, was a business partner of Amiran Apakidze's son, Giorgi Apakidze. In 2017, they co-founded the Construction Group company. In 2019, Gadelia transferred his shares to Giorgi Apakidze free of charge, and the company's name was simultaneously changed to Vertisoli.

Vertisoli also actively participates in tenders, primarily supplying curtains and blinds to procuring organizations. Since 2018, the company has won tenders totaling ₾1,257,385 ($465,698) and received 105 simplified procurements worth ₾265,557 ($98,354).

The company's owner, Giorgi Apakidze, is also listed among political donors; in 2025, he contributed ₾60,000 ($22,222) to the Georgian Dream party”, states Transparency International - Georgia.

The Senaki Municipality mayor's office has not commented on the matter.

Transparency International - Georgia calls on the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Prosecutor's Office to investigate each procurement to determine if there are signs of corruption.

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