Prosecutor’s Office seeks bail for opposition figures

Georgia’s Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvaramidze announced that the Prosecutor’s Office was seeking bail as a preventive measure against Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze in a newly launched criminal case. According to Gvaramidze, legal action had been initiated against former President Mikheil Saakashvili and several opposition leaders on multiple criminal charges.

Based on the findings of the investigation, Saakashvili has been formally charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for allegedly calling for the violent overthrow or change of the constitutional order.

Zurab - Girchi Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze have been charged under Article 318, Part 1, and Article 319 - relating to sabotage and assisting activities hostile to a foreign state.

Elene Khoshtaria has been charged under Article 318, Part 1; Article 319; and Article 321¹, Part 1 - for alleged sabotage, providing material resources for such offenses, and assisting hostile activities against a foreign country.

Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze have been charged under Article 318, Part 1, regarding alleged acts of sabotage.

Gvaramidze said that the Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court within the legally defined timeframe to request the imposition of bail for Khazaradze and Japaridze, and to determine the dates of preliminary court hearings for the other defendants.