"I know exactly that he fears nothing, and even from prison he will say only one thing – the same thing he says outside: unite to save the country," – wrote Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the United National Movement, on social media in response to Zurab Japaridze’s arrest in the courtroom.

Bokuchava emphasized that now, more than ever, the opposition must understand that unity is the only path to survival.

“I met Japhara in 2012. Back then, we both entered Parliament through the United National Movement’s party list.

We both believed Ivanishvili wouldn’t win the elections. I was planning to continue working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Zura was going to focus on economic reforms for the country.

But we ended up in the opposition, and we’re still here to this day. He always stood out — for his humility, sincerity, and competence.

And all three are exactly what’s missing in Georgian politics.

I know he is fearless, and even from prison, he will say the same thing he always says: unite to save the country.

Maybe now others in the opposition will finally realize that unity is the only way to survive.

Freedom for Zura! Freedom for Misha! Freedom for all political prisoners!”

Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, a member of the Coalition for Change, had his pre-trial measure of 20,000 GEL bail changed to pre-trial detention by decision of Tbilisi City Court Judge Irakli Shvangiradze, in response to the Prosecutor’s motion. Japaridze was handcuffed in the courtroom.

The case concerns his failure to appear before the Parliamentary Investigative Commission, which led to formal charges under Article 349 of the Criminal Code.