Zurab Japaridze sentenced to pre-trial detention – Arrested in the Courtroom

Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, a member of the Coalition for Change, has had his previous preventive measure — a 20,000 GEL bail — replaced with pre-trial detention.

The decision was made by Judge Irakli Shvangiradze of the Tbilisi City Court, thereby granting the motion submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Japaridze was handcuffed directly in the courtroom following the ruling.

Today’s court session took place amid a tense and noisy atmosphere. The hearing focused on the admissibility of evidence. The case concerns an investigation and criminal charge filed for failing to comply with a lawful request from the Georgian Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission. Japaridze failed to appear before the commission and was subsequently summoned to give testimony before a magistrate judge, at which point he was formally charged. Initially, the Tbilisi City Court had imposed a bail of 20,000 GEL as a preventive measure.

For reference, the investigation is being conducted under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to “failure to comply with a request from the Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission.” This offense is punishable by a fine or up to one year of imprisonment, as well as disqualification from holding office or engaging in certain professional activities for up to three years.