Nika Gvaramia : The judge deliberating an hour instead a minute, is already a victory for us. A ruling in my favour would have meant overturning previous decisions

**Georgian Opposition Leader Sees Silver Lining in Court Decision**

In a court hearing that lasted an hour, rather than the expected minute, opposition leader Nika Gvaramia has seen a win for his coalition. The judge’s decision to defer making a definitive ruling on Gvaramia’s motion means that he will not have to make a choice between two conflicting laws – one carrying a lighter penalty and the other a harsher one.

For Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, this is a significant development. He believes that if the judge had ruled in his favor, it would have meant that all prior decisions in similar cases, including those involving Nika Melia and Zurab Japaridze, would have been overturned. This was always a likely outcome, but Gvaramia sees hope in the fact that the judge is passing on the decision to another court.

**The Case Against Gvaramia**

Gvaramia is charged with failing to comply with the request of a Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission. He argues that this is an administrative offense, not a criminal one, and that the case should have been handled under the Administrative Offenses Code rather than the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or disqualification from holding office.

**A Deliberate Delay?**

The judge’s decision to deliberate for an hour instead of a minute has raised eyebrows in some quarters. Gvaramia sees this as a deliberate attempt to delay the process and prevent a definitive ruling on his motion. However, others may view it as a more nuanced approach, allowing for further consideration of the case.

**A Sign of Things to Come?**

For Gvaramia and his coalition, this is a significant moment in their ongoing struggle against the Georgian Dream government. He believes that before anyone gets the chance to pass on the decision, Georgian Dream will be finished. It remains to be seen whether this prediction comes true, but one thing is certain – the outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the future of politics in Georgia.