Gakharia, Khazaradze, and Gvaramia Summoned Again to the So-Called Investigative Commission Hearing

"On June 23, we will re-interview Giorgi Gakharia. I hope that Giorgi Gakharia will appear for the additional interview to continue our discussion on Chorchana, Tsaghvli, and other villages, where, as he claims, not a single centimeter of territory was occupied by his decision to deploy the checkpoint, and that the central government in Tbilisi had not lost control. We heard an explanation from a resident of Tsaghvli, who said that the country lost the entire forest, the occupying state took it over, and that Russia encroached further into Georgian territory. These testimonies are in radical contradiction with each other. Therefore, we must ask him additional questions. He'll also be questioned – and informed of this in the summons letter – about the period from 2012 to 2025, when he was in opposition. Specifically, this concerns the time from his resignation until now, including his and his party's engagement on the international stage and with foreign partners," stated Tea Tsulukiani.

Gakharia was previously interrogated on April 14 and was questioned about the Chorchana checkpoint. It was later revealed that the General Prosecutor's Office is also investigating this matter.

Mamuka Khazaradze and Nika Gvaramia are summoned to the so-called investigative commission hearing on June 30. According to the notification, they are requested to provide explanations "regarding actions carried out to the detriment of Georgia's foreign policy objectives in 2012-2025."

"They have summoned me again to an illegitimate commission of an illegitimate parliament in violation of the constitution and the law. I clarified to you that I do not recognize you. I am not going to come! I know you want to arrest me. Don't bother, you won't scare me anyway!

The fight against the Russian regime will continue till the end!" Khazaradze wrote.

In a letter sent to Nika Gvaramia in prison, the so-called commission's chairperson, Tea Tsulukiani, writes that he will be interviewed remotely.

"Our position is the same – at no stage do we intend to accept the regime's rules of the game, grant even minimal legitimacy, or cooperate with the so-called commission, which in reality serves to betray national interests and rewrite history. Consistency, principled stance, uncompromising attitude, and non-cooperation, including non-participation in the farce called elections, is the path to victory," stated a statement released by the Ahali party.

Georgian Dream established this investigative commission in a one-party Parliament on February 5. Its stated purpose is to investigate the activities of the United National Movement (UNM) government and its officials from 2003 to 2012. Tea Tsulukiani chairs the so-called investigative commission. Georgian Dream aims to ban the UNM and other opposition parties that have not recognized the results of the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, refused their mandates, and demand new elections.

Charges have been filed under Article 349 of the Criminal Code (Non-compliance with a request of the provisional investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia) against former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and Coalition For Change leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia, and Nika Gvaramia for their non-appearance at the so-called investigative commission hearing.

Under the same charge, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, leaders of Coalition Strong Georgia, each paid GEL 50,000 ($18,400) in bail, as did Strategy Aghmashenebeli leader Giorgi Vashadze; United National Movement member Givi Targamadze paid GEL 10,000 ($3,700).

Non-compliance with a request of the provisional investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for up to one year.