The verdict was announced just a short while ago. Givi Targamadze did not attend the court session.Givi Targamadze was summoned to appear before Parliament’s temporary investigative commission on April 3 but failed to show up.He was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which covers “failure to comply with the request of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Georgian Parliament.”The Tbilisi City Court imposed a GEL 10,000 bail as a preventive measure in the case concerning Targamadze’s failure to appear before the investigative commission, which he paid within the legally stipulated timeframe.

1751029986

In a statement published on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Norway expressed serious concern over the political climate in Georgia, urging the authorities to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.“Norway calls for the release of those unjustly detained and for an end to the repression of civil society, free media, and freedom of speech in Georgia,” the ministry stated. The recent arrests of several opposition leaders in Georgia represent an unprecedented attack on Georgia's democracy.Norway calls for the release of those unjustly imprisoned, and an end to repressive actions against civil society, free media, and freedom of speech in Georgia. — Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) June 25, 2025 The criticism comes amid a wave of arrests of opposition leaders who failed to appear before the so-called “Tsulukiani Commission”, a parliamentary body set up to investigate alleged foreign influence and “anti-state activities.”A total of seven prominent political figures have been detained in recent weeks, including current and former leaders of major opposition parties: Giorgi Vashadze (Strategy Agmashenebeli) – arrested June 24, sentenced to 7 months Mamuka Khazaradze (Strong Georgia) – arrested June 23, sentenced to 8 months Badri Japaridze (Strong Georgia) – arrested June 23, sentenced to 8 months Nika Gvaramia (Coalition for Change) – arrested June 13, sentence not disclosed Nika Melia (Coalition for Change) – arrested May 29, sentence not disclosed Zurab Japaridze (Coalition for Change) – arrested May 22, sentence not disclosed Irakli Okruashvili (former Minister of Defense) – arrested May 14, sentence not disclosed

1750938873

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Koss described the arrests as “an attack on Georgia's democratic foundations, which are eroding day by day,” in a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).“I stand with those fighting for a free and pluralistic society in Georgia and call on the Georgian authorities to release all journalists, activists and unjustly detained individuals,” Koss wrote.Echoing her concerns, Anita Hipper, the EU’s Chief Spokesperson for Foreign and Security Policy, said the detentions reflect a politically motivated crackdown that contradicts the values expected of a country pursuing EU candidate status.“Georgia: Politically motivated prosecution and detention of opposition leaders goes against basic democratic values,” Hipper posted. “This is an authoritarian tactic—the opposite of what is expected from an EU candidate country. Georgian Dream must stop using the justice system as a weapon.”The criticism comes in response to the June 23 arrest of two opposition leaders, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, founders of the Strong Georgia party. They were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from holding public office for two years for failing to appear before the parliamentary “Tsulukiani Commission.”In total, seven opposition leaders have now been detained in connection with the commission, including: Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Strategy Builder, Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, Nika Melia, and Nika Gvaramia from the Coalition for Change, Givi Targamadze, veteran opposition figure, Irakli Okruashvili, former Minister of Defense.The wave of arrests has sparked widespread concern among civil society groups, international observers, and the diplomatic community, particularly as Georgia faces increasing scrutiny over its democratic trajectory amid ongoing EU integration efforts.

1750850003

The ruling was delivered on June 24 by Judge Nino Galustashvili, despite a request from Vashadze’s legal team to postpone the session so the defendant could deliver a final statement. Vashadze did not attend the court hearing and instead awaited the verdict at his party’s headquarters, where he was joined by political allies and Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili.The charges stem from Vashadze’s failure to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission established by the ruling Georgian Dream party. He was prosecuted under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which penalizes noncompliance with such a summons and carries a sentence of up to one year in prison or a ban from public service for up to three years. Vashadze had previously posted 50,000 GEL bail, which was paid within the legal deadline.The verdict against Vashadze follows a wave of similar rulings targeting high-profile opposition leaders. On June 23, the court sentenced Lelo party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze to eight months in prison, also banning them from holding office for two years. The two were detained outside their party office and handcuffed in public, prompting strong domestic and international criticism.Also sentenced on June 23 was Zurab Girchi Japaridze, leader of the “For Change” coalition, who received the same 7-month prison sentence and a two-year political disqualification.The coordinated sentencing of opposition figures has triggered concern among civil society organizations, with 40 NGOs recently warning that Georgia is "sliding toward authoritarianism." International voices, including UK Minister of State Stephen Dowty, have called for the immediate release of political prisoners and urged the ruling party to cease suppressing dissent.As more verdicts loom and protests intensify, observers warn that these developments could have a chilling effect on Georgia’s democratic institutions and further strain the country’s relationship with Western partners.

1750770097

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dowty criticized the imprisonment of Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, and Zurab Girchi Japaridze, labeling their detention a “step taken to block electoral competitors.”“The imprisonment of influential opposition politicians in Georgia for boycotting parliament is a step taken to block their competitors in the elections,” Dowty wrote.On June 23, Tbilisi City Court sentenced Lelo party leaders Khazaradze and Japaridze to 8 months in prison, along with a 2-year ban from holding public office. Both were detained outside their party headquarters and escorted in handcuffs.The same day, Zurab Japaridze, leader of the “For Change” coalition, was also sentenced to 7 months in prison and similarly barred from holding public office for two years. All three politicians were convicted for refusing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission, established by the Georgian Dream majority and chaired by Vice Prime Minister Tea Tsulukiani.They were charged under Article 349 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which penalizes noncompliance with parliamentary commission requests and is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or disqualification from public office for up to three years.On June 24, the Tbilisi City Court is expected to deliver its verdict in the case of Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party. Vashadze, who also declined to appear before the same commission, has chosen not to attend the court hearing and will instead await the ruling at his party office, where opposition leaders and former President Salome Zurabishvili have gathered in solidarity.Vashadze, who faces identical charges, was released earlier on 50,000 GEL bail, which he paid on time.

1750769861

Additionally, the court imposed a two-year ban on Khazaradze holding public office. Judge Zviad Sharadze announced the verdict; Khazaradze did not attend the hearing.The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office on March 25 after Khazaradze refused to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission tasked with examining the activities of the regime and political officials from 2003 to 2012. He was formally indicted on April 1. As a preventive measure, he paid a bail of GEL 50,000 within the legally prescribed timeframe.A verdict is also expected today in the case of Lelo co-leader Badri Japaridze, who was similarly ordered to pay a bail of GEL 50,000.In response to the ruling, Khazaradze stated that no form of intimidation would deter his political movement.“We may face different decisions or even imprisonment today, but regardless of the outcome, I want to send a clear message to Bidzina Ivanishvili: neither I nor my team are afraid of you. This is a fight for the future of our country — for freedom, for integration with the democratic world, and not with the countries whose leaders your so-called Prime Minister attends funerals for.We entered politics to stand against injustice. For five years, they’ve been trying to imprison us with a 12-year sentence. We did not leave the country then, and we will not leave now.The fight continues. Our team is ready. We will see this through to the end. I also want to express my solidarity with Zura Japaridze — our friend and comrade-in-arms. No matter where we are, we will keep fighting. The only way forward for this country is to free it from occupation once and for all — and we will do it,” Khazaradze stated.

1750682752

Judge Jvebe Nachkebia announced the verdict earlier today. Zurab Girchi Japaridze was not present at the court hearing.According to the charges brought by the prosecutor’s office based on the application of the temporary investigative commission, Japaridze was prosecuted under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to “failure to comply with the request of the Parliament’s temporary investigative commission of Georgia.”On April 16, Japaridze was granted a bail of GEL 20,000 as a preventive measure, with the payment deadline set for May 18. After the bail was not paid by the deadline, the preventive measure was replaced with detention on May 22.

1750680166

The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mzia Amaglobeli,  founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti online newspapers, and the dropping of all charges against her.It also urges the “immediate repeal of all repressive legislation”.“The European Parliament, having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison for a provoked incident involving a police officer;B. whereas the adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in civil society and independent media and persecute the political opposition;C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public information space is fully dominated by pro-government media, spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;D. whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;F. whereas Estonia and Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;1. Demands Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution;2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial independence;3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia, including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists’ safety and freedom;4. Urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her children’s safety;5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;6. Calls for the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing trials;7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia”, - the document reads.

1750339161

According to the PM, in general, there is no such practice of inviting the OSCE/ODIHR to monitor local elections.“There are some exceptions, like in 2022, because these elections were related to the topic of parliamentary elections. There are cases when the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission is invited to monitor local elections as an exception. According to the standard practice, the mission is invited to observe the parliamentary elections.Therefore, we believe that it is not worth overloading them with local elections. Municipal elections will be held in a healthy form. The OSCE/ODIHR observed parliamentary elections, prepared its opinion, but nobody got interested in the report. Today, these people urge us to invite the mission,” he said.The British Embassy in Georgia called on the Georgian government to extend an invitation to ODIHR/OSCE to observe October’s municipal elections and take forward all recommendations in ODIHR’s final report on the 2024 parliamentary election.

1750241461

According to the statement, this commitment is set out in the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which both Governments signed in 2019.“Article 4 of the Agreement commits the parties to cooperation on increasing the stability and effectiveness of democratic institutions and the rule of law; on ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; on making further progress on judicial and legal reform. Article 341 of the Agreement also commits both sides to ensure the involvement of civil society in UK-Georgia relations and to facilitate an enabling environment for the development of civil society.It is on this basis that for many years the UK has supported civil society in Georgia, including voter education activities, funding for local election observation groups working to internationally approved standards and contributed to successive ODIHR/OSCE monitoring missions in Georgia.The Georgian government itself previously supported this activity and we reject its current description as funding ‘propaganda and extremism’. Nothing could be further from the truth. Georgian legislation makes provision for citizen monitoring, which is an important part of professional and transparent scrutiny of elections.We encourage the Georgian Government to extend an invitation to ODIHR/OSCE to observe October’s municipal elections and take forward all recommendations in ODIHR’s final report on the 2024 parliamentary election.The hopes and aspirations of the Georgian people are for democracy and freedom, and we hope that UK-Georgia co-operation, as well as Georgia’s co-operation with European institutions, will further contribute to those goals,” reads the statement.

1750240007