**Georgia’s Opposition Accused of Staging a Spectacle**
The chairman of the parliamentary committee on procedural issues and rules, Davit Matikashvili, has spoken out against the opposition’s claims that Zurab Girchi Japaridze is being persecuted. Japaridze, a member of the Coalition for Change, was recently arrested after his bail was replaced with pre-trial detention.
According to Matikashvili, the opposition knew all along that there were legal provisions in place that would allow for such a change. He claims that the radicals are staging a spectacle and deceiving the public into thinking that Japaridze is being unfairly persecuted.
“This is not persecution, but the fulfillment of a provision of the law,” Matikashvili said. “If someone wants to avoid imprisonment, they should act legally.”
The controversy began when Japaridze’s 20,000-GEL bail was replaced with pre-trial detention by Tbilisi City Court Judge Irakli Shvangiradze. Japaridze was handcuffed in the courtroom as a result.
Matikashvili believes that the opposition is trying to create a diversion and stir up public opinion. “The radicals want to give their patrons something to talk about, something completely unjust and out-of-context,” he said.
**Analysis**
This controversy highlights the complex relationships between politics and law in Georgia. While the opposition claims that Japaridze’s arrest is a form of persecution, Matikashvili argues that it is simply a matter of upholding the law.
The fact that the opposition knew about the legal provision in place suggests that they may have been intentionally trying to stir up controversy. This raises questions about their motivations and whether they are genuinely interested in promoting justice or just looking for ways to gain public attention.
**Commentary**
This incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in Georgia’s judicial system. While some may see Japaridze’s arrest as a form of persecution, others will view it as a necessary step to uphold the law.
As Matikashvili pointed out, if someone wants to avoid imprisonment, they should act legally. This is not a statement against the opposition, but rather a reminder that everyone must adhere to the laws and regulations in place.
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