Gia Volski: You must not defy the law – in any European country, failing to appear before a commission carries heavy consequences, and in the US, the measures are even stricter – the law demands enforcement, and 'Georgian Dream' has nothing to do with it

"You must not defy the law. In any European country, failing to appear before a commission carries heavy consequences. In the U.S., the measures are even stricter. The law requires enforcement by certain structures, and 'Georgian Dream' has nothing to do with it," said Gia Volski, the First Vice-Speaker of Parliament, commenting on the prison sentences imposed on opposition politicians Zurab Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission.

According to him, it is strange to label the enforcement of certain legal requirements as political persecution.

"You must not defy the law. In any European country, failing to appear before a commission carries heavy consequences. In the U.S., the measures are even stricter in this regard. It’s strange to call the enforcement of certain legal requirements political persecution. Even if 'Georgian Dream' were not in power, any country’s law enforcement structures and courts are obliged to enforce existing laws. In fact, this law wasn’t even adopted during our time. We know well what happens in Europe and what penalties exist in the U.S. for refusing to appear before a commission or subcommittee. So, I wouldn’t say this issue is news to people. The situation is this: there are very serious questions about how governance was conducted, how 20% of our territories were surrendered, how people were robbed, how lives and health were taken, and specific individuals refuse to appear before the commission to answer these serious questions. Of course, the law demands certain enforcement by certain structures, and 'Georgian Dream' has nothing to do with it," Volski stated.

For context, Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of "Lelo for Strong Georgia," was found guilty by the court for failing to comply with the demands of a parliamentary temporary investigative commission. By the decision of Judge Zviad Sharadze, he was sentenced to 8 months in prison and banned from holding public office for 2 years. Earlier today, a verdict was also announced in the case of Zurab Girchi Japaridze, one of the leaders of the "Coalition for Change." He was sentenced to 7 months in prison for failing to comply with the demands of the investigative commission and was also banned from holding public office for 2 years. Today, at 5:00 PM, a verdict will be announced in the case of Badri Japaridze as well.