Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the ‘Lelo for Strong Georgia’ party, has been found guilty of failing to comply with the demands of a parliamentary temporary investigative commission.
Tbilisi City Court Judge Zviad Sharadze sentenced him to eight months in prison and barred him from holding public office for two years.
Khazaradze did not attend the hearing where the verdict was announced, and declined to deliver a final statement.
The charges stem from his refusal to appear before a parliamentary commission after being summoned for questioning. He was prosecuted under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which covers noncompliance with the demands of a parliamentary investigative body — an offense punishable by a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, and/or a temporary ban from public service or certain activities.
Earlier in the case, Khazaradze was released on a 50,000 GEL bail, which he paid on time.
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