In Georgia, a controversial monument in Tbilisi is slated for demolition amid a political dispute

The two silver metal and glass tubes, installed in the heart of the city in a park on the banks of the Kura River, stand out sharply against Tbilisi's historical landscape. An architectural affront for the building's opponents, a symbol of modernization for a nation emerging from the USSR for its supporters.

Authorities approved this month the dismantling of the buildings, designed by renowned Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas and built in the historic Rike district in 2011-2012.

The complex was intended to house a concert hall and an exhibition center, but construction was halted in 2012 after Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement lost to Georgian Dream, leaving the interiors unfinished. It was subsequently sold for a sum far less than its construction cost.

Its planned demolition is seen by its supporters as an attempt by the ruling Georgian Dream party to erase architectural symbols associated with Mr. Saakashvili, the former president who is now imprisoned.

The current private owner of the buildings wants to build a hotel on the site and has until December 25th to complete the demolition.

Mr. Saakashvili expressed his opposition to the decision, accusing the authorities of destroying a "world cultural and architectural masterpiece", which was also built with public funds.

According to the Georgian fact-checking organization Factcheck.ge, some $29 million (over €25 million) of public money was invested in the project.

Massimiliano Fuksas also criticized the decision, calling it "madness".

"If public money has been spent to build something, why destroy it?", the 82-year-old architect told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

He also stated that his architecture firm had contacted Georgian authorities last May to propose discussing alternative uses for the complex, but never received a response.