Zurab Japaridze Put in Pretrial Detention over the Georgian Dream Commission Non-Appearance

“If everyone refuses to participate in this farce, this regime will be destroyed. If you put me in jail, will I go to the commission? - There is no rational argument as to why I should be in prison.

There's no grounds for my imprisonment. Who are the witnesses? I don't know what evidence there is for me to destroy if I'm free. As for absconding, I've been to Strasbourg, I've left and re-entered the country since then, and I attend the trials of political prisoners every day. There's no risk that I'll influence witnesses or leave the country. I don't recognize this commission created by parliament," stated Zurab Japaridze.

He is charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to "failure to comply with the demands of a temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia" and carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for up to one year.

Zurab Japaridze's lawyers, Nika Gvaramia and Irakli Chomakhashvili requested a larger courtroom, as the current one accommodated only about 20 people while many wished to attend the proceedings. The judge denied this request.

He also denied the lawyers' other motions, which included requests for representatives from the U.S. and German embassies to attend the hearing, and for Tea Tsulukiani, the head of the so-called "temporary investigative commission," to be questioned.

After their motions were rejected, the lawyers left the courtroom. The judge did not even appoint a duty lawyer for Japaridze, who was left without legal representation, stating that the defendant's side was attempting to delay the case.

Before Japaridze's case hearing, a large number of police officers were mobilized on the court's premises. Also today, video cameras were not allowed into the courthouse building.

Following Zurab Japaridze's arrest, Nika Melia, another leader of the Coalition for Change, stated that he won’t attend his hearing at the Tbilisi City Court on May 29. The Prosecutor's Office is also challenging Nika Melia for failing to appear before the Georgian Dream’s temporary investigative commission in parliament. Like Japaridze, he too has been ordered to pay bail, amounting to GEL 50,000, which Melia also won’t pay.

“I made the decision not to go there. Why? Out of respect for the people. What I witnessed today, how they treated women, the elderly, and the young there... I don't want that to be repeated. I'm sure if Zura had known this, he would have made a similar decision," Nika Melia stated on TV Pirveli.

On May 14, former Minister of Defense Irakli Okruashvili was arrested for failing to attend Tsulukiani's commission hearing.

Opposition politicians have also been fined under the same charges: Nika Gvaramia, another leader of the Coalition for Change (GEL 30,000); Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition (GEL 50,000 each); Givi Targamadze, a member of the United National Movement (GEL 10,000); and Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli (GEL 50,000).

Khazaradze, Targamadze, and Japaridze have already paid their bail. Vashadze also plans to pay his bail by securing it with real estate, but Gvaramia has stated he will not pay. His court hearing is scheduled for June 7.

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 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.