Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change, was set to be released from Rustavi Penitentiary No. 12 on December 19, after serving seven months in prison. Information about his release was published on Japaridze’s official Facebook page.
Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze was arrested in the courtroom on May 22, after being summoned to provide an explanation to the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia, a session he did not attend.
Following his failure to appear before the commission, Japaridze was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns failure to comply with the request of a Temporary Investigative Commission of Parliament. The charge carries a custodial sentence under Georgian law.
Japaridze’s arrest and imprisonment drew significant public and political attention, with opposition parties and civil society groups criticizing the case as politically motivated. His supporters repeatedly called for his release, arguing that the proceedings represented pressure on political opponents.
After completing his sentence, Japaridze was expected to be released in accordance with the law on December 19.
