Nika Gvaramia, leader of the “Coalition for Change,” has been arrested by law enforcement officers near Rustavi Penitentiary No. 12. The opposition figure reportedly went to the prison voluntarily and personally called the emergency number 112, requesting a police patrol. Upon arrival, officers handcuffed Gvaramia, stating that he had been “transferred to the relevant service.”
As he was being detained, Gvaramia shouted: “The oligarchy must fall! Glory to Georgia!”
Earlier in the day, Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecution’s motion to replace Gvaramia’s 30,000 GEL bail with imprisonment, citing his failure to appear at the hearing. The bail had originally been set as a preventive measure, with a 50-day deadline for payment, which expired on June 7.
In addition to the bail violation, Gvaramia faces charges under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for refusing to comply with a summons from the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Georgian Parliament. The offense carries penalties ranging from a fine to up to one year in prison and/or disqualification from holding public office or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.
