**Opposition Leaders Face Jail Over Refusal to Cooperate with Parliament**
In a move that has sparked widespread condemnation, the Georgian court has placed Nika Melia, co-chair of the Ahali party and leader of the Coalition for Change, in pretrial detention. This decision was expected after Melia refused to post bail following his summons by the Georgian Dream parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
Melia is not alone. Another opposition leader, Zurab Japaridze from the Girchi–More Freedom party, was also placed in pretrial detention on May 22 for refusing to appear before the same commission. Former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili was sent to pretrial detention on May 14 for a similar reason.
The cases stem from opposition leaders’ refusal to cooperate with the GD parliament’s temporary investigative commission, which is probing alleged crimes committed by former United National Movement government officials. The opposition rejects cooperating with this commission, considering it illegitimate following the disputed October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections.
**Controversy Surrounding Nika Melia’s Arrest**
Nika Melia was detained in Tbilisi on May 29, just a day before his court hearing. He claimed that he was “abducted” by police while en route to record an episode of a social media show. According to Melia, police stopped the car and asked for his driver’s license, while one of them attempted to unlock Melia’s phone using force.
Melia recounted the details of his arrest in court, accusing the judge of being part of a “criminal chain” within the judiciary. When asked if he was planning to pay bail, Melia retorted, “Isn’t it interesting what I just recalled?” The tense hearing ended with Melia splashing water at Judge Irakli Shvangiradze and being expelled from the courtroom.
**Tensions Flare Outside the Courthouse**
Supporters of Melia were denied entry to the courtyard, while cameramen were not allowed inside the building. Despite the heightened public interest, the hearing was held in a cramped room, with water cannons stationed nearby.
Judge Shvangiradze granted the prosecution’s motion to replace bail with pretrial detention, which can be a fine or up to one year in prison. A final ruling is pending in Melia’s case, which concerns the criminal offense of noncompliance with Parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
**The Controversial Commission**
The Georgian Dream parliament’s temporary investigative commission is tasked with investigating alleged crimes committed by the United National Movement government. It has summoned both alleged victims and former officials – now opposition leaders – most of whom have refused to appear. The exception was Giorgi Gakharia, who testified but maintained that doing so did not constitute recognition of the GD parliament’s legitimacy.
The commission is addressing topics including alleged torture, business racketeering, and the August 2008 war, which it blames on the former UNM government and ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili. Georgian Dream says the commission’s final report will be submitted to the country’s Constitutional Court to ban the UNM and its “successor parties.”
Read More @ civil.ge
