The Tbilisi City Court has replaced the former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili's GEL 20,000 bail with imprisonment. Okruashvili was arrested in the courtroom immediately following the decision.
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"I will not pay the bail. I deliberately didn't even wear a metal cross today. I came prepared, exactly like someone going to prison. I'm not going to deprive my children of money because of someone's whims," Irakli Okruashvili said.
Irakli Okruashvili's bail was imposed due to a decline to appear at the temporary investigative commission formed within the Georgian Dream's one-party Parliament. He was required to pay the bail within 30 days, a deadline expired on May 8. Following this, the Prosecutor's Office petitioned the Tbilisi City Court for his arrest.
Okruashvili was summoned to provide testimony at the so-called temporary investigative commission session on March 26 but did not attend. Tea Tsulukiani, the "commission's" chairperson, then referred the matter to the Prosecutor's Office. Irakli Okruashvili was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which addresses non-compliance with the demands of a temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia. This offense can result in a punishment of a fine or up to one year in prison, along with the deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in certain activities for up to three years.
Several other opposition politicians face similar bail conditions under the same charge, including Nika Melia (GEL 50,000), Nika Gvaramia (GEL 30,000), and Zurab Japaridze (GEL 20,000) of the Coalition for Change; Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze (GEL 50,000 each), leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition; Givi Targamadze (GEL 10,000), a member of the United National Movement; and Giorgi Vashadze (GEL 50,000), leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli.
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 government and its officials from 2003 to 2012. Tea Tsulukiani heads 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 are demanding new elections.
