MEP Auštrevičius slams arrest of Georgian opposition leader as “shameful political persecution”

“One more shameful example of political persecution in Georgia!” — wrote Member of the European Parliament Petras Auštrevičius on X, reacting to the arrest of opposition leader Zurab Japaridze. The Lithuanian MEP criticized the Georgian government, accusing them of jailing Japaridze, who refused to cooperate with a parliamentary investigative commission.

Japaridze, leader of the More Freedom – Girchi party and a prominent figure in the Coalition for Change, was taken into custody directly from the courtroom on May 22 after Judge Irakli Shvangiradze granted the prosecution’s request to replace his bail with pre-trial detention. Japaridze had refused on principle to pay the 20,000 GEL bail imposed in April for not appearing before the parliamentary commission.

“This is not about justice — it’s a political case,” Japaridze said during the hearing. “There is no rational reason why I should be imprisoned. If everyone refuses to participate in this lie, this regime will collapse.”

He is charged under Article 349 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which penalizes failure to comply with a court order, and could face up to one year in prison. The case remains under trial.

The controversial parliamentary commission was formed on February 5 by Georgian Dream to investigate the previous United National Movement government. However, many view it as a political tool to suppress dissent, especially from parties that challenge the current government’s legitimacy.

Several other high-profile opposition leaders have been similarly charged and given bail for refusing to appear before the commission. Among them: Nika Melia (50,000 GEL), Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze (50,000 GEL each), Givi Targamadze (10,000 GEL), Giorgi Vashadze (50,000 GEL), and Nika Gvaramia (30,000 GEL). Former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili, who also declined to pay his bail, was jailed earlier this month.

Melia and Gvaramia have publicly stated that, like Japaridze, they will not pay their bail, signaling broader opposition resistance to what they call a “repressive and illegitimate process.”