Ruling party Sec-Gen defends ‘legal equality’ as opposition leader Gvaramia arrested

The Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, has defended the government’s handling of opposition leader Nika Gvaramia’s arrest, insisting that “legal equality applies to all, regardless of political status.”

Speaking to the media on Friday, Kaladze claimed this was not the first case of a politician violating the law. “When you violate the law, the status of a politician cannot be a shield. The government will act within the framework of the law and take appropriate action,” he claimed.

Kaladze’s comments came shortly after Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, surrendered himself at Rustavi’s 12th prison following a court ruling that replaced his 30,000-GEL bail with pre-trial detention. The opposition figure was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission - an offense punishable by a fine or up to one year in prison, along with restrictions on holding public office.

“I came here on my own. It was clear what the court would decide,” Gvaramia said outside the prison. “This is a fight for freedom against Russia. The unity of the opposition is crucial, and I believe that the Georgian people understand what’s at stake.”

Gvaramia denounced the ruling party, calling the government's actions politically motivated. “The worse the Georgian Dream behaves, the sooner it will end. Our main task is to return Georgia to its European path,” he added.

The parliamentary investigative commission, established in early 2025 by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is tasked with reviewing alleged crimes and abuses of power committed by political figures dating back to the former President Mikheil Saakashvili era (2003 - 2012), and more recently expanded to cover up to 2024. Its scope includes property rights violations, torture, and events related to the 2008 Russia–Georgia war.

Gvaramia was among several former officials and political leaders - alongside figures such as Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, and Irakli Okruashvili - who were summoned by the commission but declined to appear.