A Georgian court has imposed a bail of 20,000 GEL on Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition group Coalition for Change, for failing to appear before a Temporary Parliamentary Investigative Commission established by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The Tbilisi City Court handed down the decision under Article 349 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which criminalizes noncompliance with a parliamentary commission’s summons. The offense can be punished by a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, or disqualification from public office or professional activity for up to three years.
Japaridze’s lawyer challenged the impartiality of the presiding judge, Nana Shamatava, citing sanctions previously imposed on her by the Lithuanian government, which could suggest bias. Despite the objection, the court proceeded with the ruling.
Speaking after the hearing, Japaridze criticized the decision, claiming there was no legal basis for the bail and insisted he never intended to flee. He also told journalists that he has no intention of paying the court-ordered sum.
The summons was issued by a special Temporary Investigative Commission created by ruling Georgian Dream on February 5 to examine alleged abuses during the previous United National Movement administration (2003–2012). The commission is chaired by ruling party figure Tea Tsulukiani. Critics have accused the government of using the commission for political purposes and targeting opposition leaders through legal pressure.
