There is commotion near the courtroom of the Tbilisi City Court, where the preliminary hearing of Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze is scheduled.
Supporters and attendees are demanding a change of venue, arguing the current courtroom is too small to accommodate everyone. Chants of “Change it!” echoed through the building.
Patrol police have arrived to manage the unrest.
Journalists are barred from bringing cameras, microphones, or photo equipment into the building. Only Georgia’s Public Broadcaster is allowed to film the session, while other media outlets may attend without recording.
Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, a Georgian opposition leader and head of the Girchi – More Freedom party, faces criminal charges for failing to appear before a temporary parliamentary investigative commission. He has been charged under Article 349 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which pertains to noncompliance with a lawful request from such a commission. If convicted, he could face a fine, up to one year in prison, or a ban from holding public office for up to three years .
Japaridze has refused to pay the 20,000 GEL bail imposed by the court, asserting that he has no intention of fleeing the country and views the charges as politically motivated. He has publicly stated that he expects to be arrested during his preliminary hearing scheduled for May 22 .
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association has criticized the charges, arguing that criminalizing noncompliance with a parliamentary commission raises legal and constitutional concerns.
This case is unfolding amid heightened political tensions in Georgia, with opposition figures and civil society groups expressing concerns over the government’s approach to dissent and democratic processes.
Image: IPN
