Georgian opposition leader Japaridze sentenced to seven months in prison

A Georgian court has sentenced Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change opposition bloc, to seven months in prison for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission probing alleged crimes under the previous United National Movement government. 

Judge Jvebe Nachkebia delivered the verdict in an empty courtroom on Monday, as Japaridze was not present for the announcement. In addition to the prison sentence, the court barred him from holding public office for two years.

Japaridze was indicted on 16 April after repeatedly refusing to comply with a summons from the commission.

The commission has been widely criticised by opposition groups and civil society as a politically motivated tool aimed at discrediting government critics.

The court initially set Japaridze's bail at 20,000 GEL, which he refused to pay. On 22 May, the bail condition was revoked and replaced with a pre-trial detention order.