Opposition leader Japaridze accuses Government of political fraud amid trial

Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition, has accused the Georgian government of political fraud during his trial at the Tbilisi City Court on Monday.

Japaridze criticized the composition of a parliamentary investigative commission on alleged crimes under the previous government, claiming that opposition representatives were unjustly excluded.

"The law clearly states that 50% of the investigative commission should consist of opposition members. Name me one member of this commission. This is a lie, this is a clear expression of political fraud," Japaridze told the court.

The trial against Japaridze is part of a broader investigation targeting opposition figures who failed to appear before the parliamentary temporary investigative commission probing alleged crimes under the United National Movement Government between 2003-2012. Japaridze faces charges under Article 349 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which carries penalties ranging from a fine to up to one year in prison.

On the same day, Mamuka Khazaradze, another leader of the Strong Georgia coalition, is also set to appear in court on similar charges. 

The investigation has already led to charges against several opposition figures, including former Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested for failing to appear before the commission and later failing to pay a fine.

Critics have accused the government of using the investigative commission to silence political opponents, a claim denied by ruling party officials who argue that the commission operates in line with Georgian law.