**Opposition Leaders Refuse to Attend Court Hearings**
The leaders of the opposition party “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, have decided not to attend their scheduled court hearings. Instead, they will await the verdicts at the party’s office.
According to a statement from the party, Mamuka Khazaradze is set to face a hearing at 3:00 PM at the Tbilisi City Court, where he has been charged with failing to comply with demands made by a parliamentary temporary investigative commission. Badri Japaridze will also appear before the court at 5:00 PM on similar charges.
**Context and Consequences**
This move comes as part of a broader controversy surrounding opposition politicians who were summoned to provide explanations before the Georgian Parliament’s temporary investigative commission. Eight out of nine opposition leaders refused to appear, with only former Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia complying with the demands. As a result, eight opposition politicians have been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code.
This offense carries penalties ranging from a fine to imprisonment for up to one year, as well as bans on holding public office or engaging in certain activities for up to three years. The move has sparked concerns about the treatment of opposition politicians and the erosion of democratic norms in Georgia.
**Expert Analysis**
By refusing to attend their court hearings, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze are sending a strong message that they believe the charges against them are politically motivated and unfair. This stance reflects the growing tensions between the ruling government and opposition parties in Georgia.
The decision not to attend court may also be seen as a strategic move to draw attention to what they see as a broader crackdown on dissenting voices in the country. As the verdicts approach, it remains to be seen how this will play out, but one thing is clear: this case has significant implications for Georgia’s fragile democracy.
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