“If we can be dragged to court for allegedly failing to appear before a vague commission, then why is Tea Tsulukiani privileged and not required to appear before the same court?!”

This is what Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of Lelo – For Strong Georgia, told journalists before the start of his court hearing.

According to him, Tea Tsulukiani must be questioned by the court.

“Of course, Tea Tsulukiani must be questioned. This shows complete disregard by the same prosecutors. Don’t we all have equal rights? If we can be taken to court for supposedly not responding to an unclear summons from a commission, what makes Tea Tsulukiani special so that she doesn’t have to appear in the same court?! This highlights that, according to them, members of Georgian Dream are too elite to be summoned as witnesses, while the opposition must be dragged through court and subjected to political persecution,” said Japaridze.

For context, Badri Japaridze was summoned to provide clarification before a temporary investigative commission in Parliament but did not appear.

Following this, he was charged and the court imposed bail in the amount of 50,000 GEL, which he paid within the legally prescribed period.

Japaridze has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to “failure to comply with a request of the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.” This offense is punishable by a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, or deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in certain activities for up to three years.