Zurab Japaridze Sentenced to Pretrial Detention for Failure to Pay Bail
Leader of the “Girchi — More Freedom” party Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze has been placed in pretrial detention after failing to pay the 20,000 GEL bail imposed for his refusal to appear before the so-called investigative commission established by the ruling Georgian Dream party in Parliament.
The Prosecutor’s Office requested the change in the preventive measure after Japaridze explicitly refused to pay the bail.
The investigation falls under Article 349 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to the “failure to comply with the request of a temporary investigative commission of the Georgian Parliament.” The offence is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or a restriction on holding public office or engaging in specific activities for up to three years.
Other political figures summoned by the same commission have received similar measures. Leaders of the “Strong Georgia” coalition, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, were each granted 50,000 GEL bail, which they have paid. Nika Melia, leader of the “Coalition for Changes,” and Nika Gvaramia have both been granted bail—50,000 GEL and 30,000 GEL respectively—but have declared they will not pay. It is expected that the court will issue arrest orders for them as well.
Japaridze’s detention has drawn strong criticism from international partners. The British Embassy in Georgia condemned the move, calling it a disproportionate measure aimed at intimidating and silencing the opposition.
Norway’s Ambassador to Georgia and Armenia, Bergliot Hovland, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Norway is deeply concerned by the Georgian authorities’ repression of the opposition, including the detention of opposition leaders such as Zurab Japaridze, and repressive laws aimed at banning political parties. This attack on democracy is unacceptable. Georgia stands at a worrying crossroads.”
British Journalist Who Reported on Georgian Dream’s Russian Ties Denied Entry into Georgia
Will Neal, an independent British journalist who has lived in Georgia since 2022, was denied entry into the country on May 20 after returning from the United Kingdom and the European Union via Armenia. The move has sparked international concern over Georgia’s deteriorating press freedom.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the denial followed a smear campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets. The campaign was launched after Neal published an investigative article in Byline Times detailing the ruling Georgian Dream party’s alleged ties to Russia.
In the article, Neal cited leaked documents linking Hunnewell Partners—the owner of the pro-government TV channel Imedi—to the interests of Irakli Rukhadze. The documents also revealed connections to a firm representing Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, in litigation against Russian telecommunications company MTS.
RSF strongly condemned the Georgian government’s decision, calling it “arbitrary” and urging authorities to reverse it immediately. The organization warned that the country’s media environment is rapidly deteriorating under increasing pressure from the ruling party.
“My first thought was, ‘That’s it.’ But in the days since, I’ve slowly come to terms with the fact that I can no longer enter the country that has been my home for the past three years,” Neal told RSF after being turned away at the border.
One of the Leaders of Strong Georgia coalition Grigol Gegelia was Attacked
Grigol Gegelia, the Foreign Secretary of the opposition coalition Strong Georgia, was physically assaulted outside his residence. According to Gegelia, the assailant first contacted him by phone before attacking him, striking him repeatedly on the head, verbally abusing him, and spitting on him.
Gegelia stated that he provided the police with the license plate number of the vehicle the attacker used to flee the scene.
“What is happening in Georgia is indescribably vile. This cowardly man has achieved nothing,” Gegelia said following the attack.
The Strong Georgia coalition issued a statement holding the ruling Georgian Dream party fully responsible for the attack. “The Georgian Dream bears full responsibility for this attack on a politician, as it is the force that incites hatred against political opponents and shields criminals,” the statement read.