The verdicts in the cases of three opposition figures — Zurab Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze — will be announced today for failing to comply with the investigative commission’s request

On June 23, the Tbilisi City Court will announce verdicts in the cases of three opposition politicians — Zurab "Girchi" Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze — for failing to comply with a request from the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission.

Reportedly, none of the three will attend the announcement of their verdicts.

The first verdict will be delivered in the case of Zurab "Girchi" Japaridze, one of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change." His hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Judge Jvebe Nachkebia postponed the previous session at the stage of the defendant's final statement. However, Japaridze has already declared his position — he distrusts the court and the judge, and therefore will neither appear at the hearing nor exercise his right to make a final statement.

The verdict in the case of Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of "Lelo – Strong Georgia," will be announced at 3:00 p.m., and for his teammate Badri Japaridze at 5:00 p.m. In both cases, Judge Zviad Sharadze postponed the previous hearings at the stage of final statements. Their positions are also known — they too will neither deliver final statements nor attend the sessions.

For context, a total of nine opposition politicians were summoned to testify before the Georgian Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission. Eight of them refused to appear, with the only exception being former Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who has not been charged in this case. The remaining politicians were charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to "failure to comply with the request of the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission." This offense is punishable by a fine, up to one year of imprisonment, and/or the loss of the right to hold office or engage in specific activities for up to three years.

Zurab "Girchi" Japaridze was assigned bail in the amount of 20,000 GEL as a preventive measure, which he refused to pay within the legally prescribed period. As a result, he was arrested in the courtroom on June 22.

Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were each assigned bail of 50,000 GEL, which they paid within the designated timeframe.

Verdicts are still pending for five other politicians — Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, Givi Targamadze, and Irakli Okruashvili.

Giorgi Vashadze’s verdict will be delivered by Judge Nino Galustashvili on June 24 at 10:00 a.m.