Tbilisi court imposes bail on opposition leader Gvaramia for rejecting parliamentary investigation on previous Gov’t

The Tbilisi City Court on Thursday imposed a bail of 30,000 GEL ($11,000) on opposition figure Nika Gvaramia for refusing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission established by the ruling Georgian Dream party to probe alleged crimes under the previous United National Movement Government between 2003-2012.

Judge Eka Barbakadze upheld the prosecution’s motion in full, citing concerns that Gvaramia may abscond or repeat the alleged offence.

The case is being pursued under Article 349 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which penalises failure to comply with a lawful summons by a parliamentary investigative commission. If convicted, Gvaramia could face a fine, up to one year in prison, or a ban from public office for up to three years.

Gvaramia, a leader of the For Change Coalition and a former official in the United National Movement government, was summoned to testify regarding alleged violations in the fields of defence, security, and human rights during the 2004 – 2012 period. He declined to attend, denouncing the process as politically motivated.

When Judge Barbakadze called for order, Gvaramia claimed he had diabetes and needed to eat, prompting the judge to declare a recess.
Following the break, the court reviewed the prosecution’s argument, which asserted that Gvaramia’s noncompliance posed a legal risk. In response, Gvaramia called the charges “absurd” and labelled the investigative commission itself “illegitimate”. He stated he would decide whether to post bail after consulting with his legal team.
The investigative commission, led by Georgian Dream MP Thea Tsulukiani, was established on February 5 to scrutinise the record of the former United National Movement-led government. The commission has summoned several opposition politicians, with bail imposed on others who refused to comply, including:

Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze – 50,000 GEL each (approx. $18,000)

Irakli Okruashvili – 20,000 GEL (approx. $7,200)

Givi Targamadze – 10,000 GEL (approx. $3,600)

Zurab Japaridze – 20,000 GEL (approx. $7,200)

Opposition groups have condemned the commission as a tool of political persecution, while the ruling party insists it is a necessary measure to ensure accountability for past governance.