More opposition politicians refuse to pay bail after ex-Defence Minister's arrest

Following the pretrial detention of former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili for refusing to comply with a parliamentary investigative commission, two more Georgian opposition leaders—Nika Gvaramia and Zurab "Girchi" Japaridze—have announced they will not pay their court-ordered bail.

Okruashvili was taken into custody on May 14 after the court replaced his 20,000 GEL bail with detention, citing his refusal to cooperate and his statement in court that he would not pay: “I didn’t even wear my metal cross today. I came prepared for prison. Honestly, I’m tired.”

In response, Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, wrote on Facebook that he has no intention of paying his 50,000 GEL bail, which is due by June 7. "I can say without hesitation: I will not pay. But I won’t judge those who choose differently—this is a personal decision," he stated.

Zurab Japaridze, founder of the Girchi – More Freedom party, is also refusing to pay. His deadline falls on May 18, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for May 22. A photo of Japaridze at court today was shared by his party, noting he had just been fined 5,000 GEL in an unrelated administrative case for road obstruction.

Other opposition figures facing similar charges include Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, Givi Targamadze, and Giorgi Vashadze, all of whom were also granted bail. Vashadze told Formula TV he has not yet decided whether he will pay, saying, “I’ll make a decision based on what’s best for the fight we’re in.”

The case stems from a parliamentary inquiry initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party to investigate the United National Movement’s time in power. The government claims it seeks to outlaw what it calls the “collective UNM”—a reference to major opposition parties that crossed the electoral threshold in 2024 and continue to dispute the current government’s legitimacy.