“Today, as the European Council is discussing Georgia and preparing to define its course of action, sentencing Zura (Girchi) Japaridze to imprisonment is a direct execution of a Russian order,” — writes Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia, on social media.

According to her, this "order" can be interpreted as the initiation of the procedure to suspend visa-free travel.

“At this stage, the order — as has become quite clear — is to launch the procedure for suspending visa-free travel.

To achieve that, Ivanishvili’s regime must use every means to convince the European Union that it is firmly committed to deepening autocracy.

Solidarity with Zura, solidarity with all political prisoners,” Samadashvili wrote on social media.

For context, Zurab Japaridze was sentenced to 7 months in prison for failing to comply with a request from the parliamentary investigative commission. He was also banned from holding public office for 2 years. The court is also expected to deliver verdicts today in the cases of Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.