Transparency International Georgia has identified cases of alleged nepotism in Mestia municipality by examining the asset declarations of high-ranking municipal officials in Mestia and verifying information obtained from various sources. It has been established that 17 relatives of 11 high-ranking officials work in various public agencies. Among these high-ranking officials are Member of Parliament Viktor Japaridze, Mestia Mayor Kapiton Zhorzholiani, and Mestia City Council Chairperson Maizer Japaridze, who himself is a cousin of Viktor Japaridze.

Obviously, the following cases do not necessarily mean that employment in the civil service bypassed or violated the competition procedure and are not intended to question professionalism, and integrity of specific individuals; however, the many family ties identified among the employees of public agencies in one municipality raise doubts about the practice of nepotism.

Nepotism in the public service is one of the most serious problems, especially in municipal legal entities, where the current hiring practices, in contrast to the rules for the appointment of civil servants, do not require a call for competition. It is important to ensure that competence, experience, and integrity are the main criteria in the selection of senior officials, civil servants, as well as employees of municipal legal entities.