On May 22, Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze was arrested in a Tbilisi courtroom after refusing to pay ₾20,000 ($7,300) bail tied to his noncompliance with a parliamentary investigative commission. The commission, initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party (conservative party), is examining alleged abuses during the 2003–2012 presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili and has the legal authority to compel attendance, with penalties including fines or imprisonment.
Japaridze, who created and leads the Girchi party (pro-european libertarian party), did not hold office during the period under investigation and has rejected the legitimacy of the commission. Opposition figures argue that the commission’s legitimacy is undermined by the disputed October 2024 parliamentary elections, which they claim were marred by fraud; its results were rejected by most opposition parties, several domestic observer groups, and parts of the international community. This led to mass protests, a boycott of parliament by opposition MPs, and allegations of excessive force and ill-treatment of protesters by Georgian authorities.
Japaridze is the second opposition figure jailed under similar circumstances, following the earlier arrest of former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili. The commission charged with examining past abuses is chaired by Thea Tsulukiani, dominated by Georgian Dream MPs, and has expanded its scope to include recent political developments, drawing criticism for allegedly targeting opponents of the ruling party.
Despite ongoing domestic unrest and international criticism, Georgian officials continue to assert that the country remains on track for European Union integration: deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili recently stated that nearly 60% of EU-required reforms have been implemented and reaffirmed the government’s goal of attaining full membership by 2030. His remarks contrast with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s November 2024 announcement of a freeze on accession efforts until 2028.