Zurab Girchi Japaridze Sentenced to 7 Months in Prison for Defying Parliamentary Commission
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
One of the opposition leaders and Chairman of Girchi - More Freedom Zurab Japaridze has been sentenced to seven months in prison and banned from holding public office for two years. Judge Jvabe Nachkebia delivered the verdict after the court found Japaridze guilty of failing to comply with the request of the Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission.
Japaridze did not attend the sentencing hearing. The judge had previously delayed the proceedings to allow for a final statement, but the defendant failed to appear in court. He became the first opposition politician in Georgia to be convicted for not responding to a request from a parliamentary investigative body.
The case against Japaridze stems from his refusal to testify before the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Georgian Parliament. His actions were deemed a violation under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which addresses failure to comply with a parliamentary investigative commission's request. The law allows for a range of penalties, including a fine, imprisonment of up to one year, and disqualification from holding public office or engaging in professional activity for up to three years.
Elene Khoshtaria, also a leader in the Coalition for Change, sharply criticized the ruling and accused the court of serving political interests. Speaking after the verdict, she said the punishment is part of a broader crackdown on political dissent.
"The servile judge, Jvabe Nachkebia, made a decision and declared that fighting in this country is punishable by seven months. First and foremost, I want to share that we are proud of our leaders, proud of the people who fight the system through non-cooperation and non-recognition. Yes, they face restrictions on their freedom because of this," Khoshtaria stated.
She called for unity across the opposition, urging all factions to come together regardless of tactical differences.
"Today is the time for unity, non-cooperation, non-recognition, and fighting together. The only thing the regime fears is principled resolve and standing together," she said.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the court's decision. Speaking to reporters, he said the outcome was a lawful response to a criminal offense.
"When a person violates the law, especially a criminal offense, naturally, there will be a response. If they do not recognize Parliament, they will go to prison," Kobakhidze said.
He added that every citizen is obligated to respect the Constitution and respond to questions from an investigative commission.
"The deep state has brought these people to this situation. They do not care about the fate of their agents, whether they are in prison, out of prison, or what political fate awaits them. When you are a deep state agent, you must accept that if they need you to, they will force you to violate the law and the Constitution. You might end up in prison for it," he stated.
