Ruling party MP slams opposition leaders for boycotting investigative commission

Levan Makhashvili, chairman of the European Integration Committee in the Georgian Parliament and a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday condemned opposition Lelo party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze for refusing to appear before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes committed under the former United National Movement (UNM) government.

The commission, tasked with examining government actions from 2003 to 2012, had summoned the two opposition figures for testimony.

Their refusal led to the case being referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.

“We have repeatedly emphasized that this commission’s work is about addressing long-standing public concerns, not political maneuvering,” Makhashvili stated. “Failing to appear is not just a legal violation – it’s a sign of disrespect to voters who demand transparency.”

Khazaradze and Japaridze, co-founders of TBC Bank and leaders of Lelo for Georgia, have previously faced legal scrutiny in Georgia. Dismissing the commission’s actions, they labeled the process a “circus.”