The Tbilisi City Court has ordered the detention of Nika Melia, leader of the “Coalition for Change,” for failing to appear before the Georgian Parliament’s temporary investigative commission. The decision follows a prosecution motion to replace Melia’s bail with pretrial detention.
Judge Irakli Shvangiradze ruled that Melia deliberately failed to pay the 50,000 GEL bail previously imposed. Melia did not attend the announcement of the ruling—he was expelled from the courtroom after throwing water at the judge prior to the verdict.
Melia’s lawyers argued that he was arrested at 9:00 p.m. on May 29, while the bail deadline was midnight, suggesting he could have paid in the final hours. “No one prevents a person from changing their decision,” said lawyer Giorgi Kondakhishvili, claiming Melia’s right to pay was unlawfully restricted.
The prosecution rejected this defense, stating that Melia had shown clear disregard for a lawful order. Judge Shvangiradze questioned whether Melia’s failure to pay stemmed from his detention or a lack of intent to comply.
Melia was initially charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code—refusal to comply with the demands of a parliamentary investigative commission. The charge carries penalties including a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, or disqualification from public office for up to three years.
