**Former Defense Minister Okruashvili Sent to Pre-Trial Detention**
In a move that has sparked concerns among opposition politicians, former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was sent to pre-trial detention by the Tbilisi City Court. This decision comes after he refused to comply with bail requirements and failed to appear before the Georgian Dream (GD) parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
Okruashvili, who served as Defense Minister from 2004 to 2006 under the United National Movement government, is facing charges under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for “failure to comply with the request of the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.” The commission was established by the GD parliament in February to investigate alleged crimes committed during the UNM government.
**A Pattern of Prosecution**
Okruashvili’s detention is not an isolated incident. Several opposition politicians, including Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, and Zurab Girchi Japaridze of the Coalition for Change, as well as Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of Strong Georgia, have faced similar charges and bail requirements. This pattern has raised concerns that the GD government is using the investigative commission to target opposition leaders and undermine their political activities.
The temporary investigative commission was originally established to probe alleged crimes committed during the UNM government, but its mandate has since been extended to cover the period from 2003 to the present day. Critics argue that this move is part of a larger effort by the GD government to ban what it calls the “collective UNM” – a term used to label major pro-Western opposition parties that passed the threshold in the 2024 elections.
**A Threat to Democracy?**
The detention of Okruashvili and other opposition politicians has sparked concerns about the erosion of democratic rights and freedoms in Georgia. The GD government’s push to ban opposition parties and prosecute their leaders raises questions about its commitment to upholding democratic values and protecting the rights of citizens to engage in free and fair political activities.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the GD government will continue to use the investigative commission as a tool to silence opposition voices. One thing is certain, however: the detention of Okruashvili and other opposition leaders has sent a chilling message to those who dare to challenge the status quo in Georgia.
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