The prosecutor in Zurab Japaridze’s case: The punishment should be proportionate, fair, objective, and commensurate with the crime committed - We believe that a severe penalty should be applied for such an act

"The punishment should be proportionate, fair, objective, and commensurate with the crime committed by the accused. The prosecution believes that a severe penalty should be applied for such an act," stated Prosecutor Natia Tatiashvili to journalists regarding the case of Zurab Girchi Japaridze, a leader of the "Coalition for Change."

She further clarified that the court itself will determine whether imprisonment will be applied as a penalty.

"Today, we requested a guilty verdict in this case. Naturally, in our view, the court should determine a proportionate, fair, objective, and commensurate penalty that corresponds to the accused’s actions and the crime committed. The prosecution does not request a specific type or measure of punishment, as the law does not allow us to do so. However, as a prosecutor, I and the prosecution believe that a severe penalty should be applied for such an act. The penalty should be strict and relevant to the committed act and each action taken by the accused, starting from the issuance of the indictment, his expressed will, his principled stance, his deliberate violation of the law, his disregard for the rule of law, and his disregard for the circumstances outlined in the court’s ruling. The court will decide whether imprisonment will be applied," the prosecutor stated.

The verdict in the case of Zurab Girchi Japaridze, concerning his failure to comply with the demands of a parliamentary temporary investigative commission, will be announced on June 23. As Judge Jvabe Nachkebia stated, the court will give Japaridze another opportunity to deliver a final statement. Japaridze did not attend today’s hearing.

For context, Zurab Girchi Japaridze was summoned to provide explanations to the parliamentary temporary investigative commission but did not appear. He faces charges under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to “failure to comply with the demands of a parliamentary temporary investigative commission.” This offense is punishable by a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, or a ban from holding office or engaging in certain activities for up to three years. Japaridze was ordered to pay a 20,000 GEL bail as a preventive measure, which he did not pay. As a result, he was detained in the courtroom on May 22.