A court hearing is currently taking place at Tbilisi City Court regarding Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of Lelo – For Strong Georgia, where the issue of imposing a preventive measure against him is being considered.

Japaridze is charged with "failure to comply with the legal request of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia."

At today’s session, the court will decide whether or not to impose a preventive measure. The prosecution is requesting bail in the amount of 50,000 GEL, while the defense is arguing that no preventive measure should be applied.

Japaridze was officially charged yesterday.

For context, the case concerns an investigation launched into the failure to comply with the legal demand of the Georgian Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission. Japaridze did not appear before the commission, after which he was summoned to testify.

In the same case, charges have already been brought against another leader of Lelo – For Strong Georgia, Mamuka Khazaradze. Tbilisi City Court has already imposed a 50,000 GEL bail against him as a preventive measure.

Japaridze has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to "failure to comply with the legal demand of the Parliament's Temporary Investigative Commission." The offense is punishable by a fine or up to one year of imprisonment, and may include the deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in professional activity for up to three years.