Givi Targamadze on the court’s decision: I believe it’s a Russian order. I’ve thought about security concerns, but what—did they want an explosion? Well, they’ve already blown me up. Avoiding doing things out of fear of that won’t work

“Will my safety be protected? Of course, I’ve thought about that. But avoiding situations because of it… We saw back then too — if they decide to act, they follow through. I survived once, and I’ll survive again. Did they want an explosion? They blew me up. Not doing things out of fear — that’s not an option,” — opposition politician Givi Targamadze told journalists after being sentenced to 7 months in prison for failing to appear before the parliamentary investigative commission.

He also stated that he has every right to believe the verdict was “ordered by Russia.”

“Now I’ll head to the nearest police station — Vake Police — and they’ll take me from there. No one knows how or on what basis verdicts are handed down.

As for whether my security will be protected — yes, I’ve thought about it. But withdrawing from situations because of that… again, if they’ve decided to act, they will. I survived last time, and I will again. Did they want an explosion? They blew me up. Avoiding action out of fear — that won’t work.

As for the desire to allow investigative bodies from Russia into Georgia — Sozar Subari wanted that at the time. He said, ‘Unfortunately, we can’t hand Givi Targamadze over to Russian law enforcement because there’s a constitutional provision that prohibits extraditing Georgian citizens. But maybe we could allow a team from Russia’s Investigative Committee to come here and question him in Georgia.’

I believe this is a Russian order. It was Russians who blew me up… I have every right to believe that.

And it’s pure cynicism that Tsulukiani claimed the victory in The Hague as her own achievement as Justice Minister — and now they’re coming after me,” — Targamadze said.

For context:

Opposition politician Givi Targamadze was found guilty of failing to comply with the request of the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission. By the decision of Judge Nino Galustashvili, he was sentenced to 7 months in prison and banned from holding public office for 2 years. He did not attend the court hearing or use his right to make a final statement. He had been summoned to appear before the commission on April 3 to provide an explanation but failed to appear. He was later charged and released on bail of 10,000 GEL, which he paid within the legal timeframe.

For reference, he was 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, imprisonment for up to one year, or restriction of the right to hold office or engage in professional activity for up to three years.