Zurab Japaridze, leader of the Girchi–More Freedom opposition party, was sentenced to seven months in prison on June 23, 2025, becoming the first opposition figure convicted for defying a Georgian Dream-led parliamentary commission investigating alleged abuses under the former United National Movement (UNM) government. In addition to incarceration, Japaridze faces a two-year ban from holding public office.

The verdict follows his arrest on May 22, 2025, after he refused to pay a GEL 20,000 bail (approximately USD 7,350). Citing the case’s political nature, Japaridze declined to mount a defense, opting to expedite proceedings. The court, presided over by Judge Jvebe Nachkebia, fast-tracked the process, delivering the sentence exactly one month later. Japaridze and his legal team were absent during the ruling. Nachkebia had previously ordered the pretrial detention of another opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia.

Japaridze’s conviction stems from his refusal to comply with a summons from the commission, a criminal offense under Georgian law that carries penalties including imprisonment, political bans, and fines. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the ruling, warning other opposition figures: “If they refuse to acknowledge parliament, they will go to jail.” He further branded noncompliant leaders as “agents” of a so-called “deep state.”

Japaridze, who never held office under the UNM, joined the party in 2012, left in 2015, and later founded the libertarian Girchi party. In 2020, he established Girchi–More Freedom, which joined the Coalition for Change ahead of the 2024 elections, securing the largest opposition vote share according to official but disputed results. His release is expected in December 2025, after the upcoming municipal elections, which his party and coalition have chosen to boycott.

Six other opposition leaders face similar charges for defying the commission. Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia of the Ahali party are in pretrial detention after refusing bail. Lelo leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, along with Giorgi Vashadze of Strategy Aghmashenebeli, are free on bail, while former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili remains in custody after rejecting bail terms.

The commission, chaired by Georgian Dream’s Tea Tsulukiani, probes alleged UNM-era misconduct, including torture, economic coercion, and responsibility for the 2008 Russia–Georgia war, attributing these to UNM leadership and ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. Most summoned opposition figures, now senior leaders, refuse to cooperate, arguing the commission lacks legitimacy due to the current parliament’s lack of pluralism.

One exception is Giorgi Gakharia, former Georgian Dream prime minister and current leader of the For Georgia party. Gakharia testified once but emphasized he does not recognize the parliament’s legitimacy. Recently summoned again regarding the 2019 Chorchana episode—now under investigation as possible “sabotage”—he requested remote testimony due to travel commitments, but the commission denied his request. Other leaders, including Gvaramia and Khazaradze, have also ignored renewed summons.

As Georgia’s political landscape grows increasingly polarized, the commission’s actions and the jailing of opposition figures like Japaridze signal heightened tensions ahead of future elections and ongoing debates over democratic legitimacy.