Nino Tsilosani: It's been orchestrated so that some pay bail, remain outside, and engage in harmful political activity, while others deliberately imprison themselves to create a narrative they can sell abroad

“They’re trying to ensure that as many people as possible end up in prison so that they can sell this image abroad, as if politicians in Georgia are being imprisoned — to promote the same false narrative they’ve been pushing,” said Vice Speaker of Parliament Nino Tsilosani in response to several opposition figures refusing to pay bail.

According to her, opposition politicians are now continuing their “fight against the Georgian state” in this new format.

“The fight against the Georgian state that our opponents launched is now continuing in this format. The law clearly outlines preventive measures, including the possibility for a person to have detention replaced with bail — that is their right. But when someone refuses to exercise that right and does not pay bail, then of course the law must be enforced. Just like in any other case where a person doesn't pay bail and is detained, there should be no exceptions — even for such odious figures as Zurab ‘Girchi’ Japaridze or others who see themselves as above the law. The law must be enforced in their cases as well,” Tsilosani stated.

She further claimed that the opposition's decision not to pay bail reflects a disregard for the law and undermines the legal framework.

“If the law doesn't work for one person, how can it work for others? If they get away with this, it will harm the state. At the same time, it’s clear that they’re trying to get as many people imprisoned as possible in order to create the appearance — to be sold abroad — that politicians in Georgia are being jailed. It’s the same false narrative they’ve been pushing. They’ve divided their roles: some pay bail and stay outside to continue harmful political activity, while others remain in jail to help craft the image they want to sell internationally,” said Tsilosani.

For context:An investigation was launched into the failure to comply with the Georgian Parliament's temporary investigative commission's demands. As part of this case, several individuals, including opposition politicians, were assigned bail by the court. On May 14, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was remanded in custody after failing to pay bail and was detained in the courtroom.

Several other politicians — including Nika Gvaramia and Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, whose trial is currently underway — have also stated that they do not intend to pay bail.