**Georgian Opposition Leader Nika Melia Faces New Charges**
Nika Melia, a prominent opposition politician in Georgia, is facing new charges after he splashed water at a judge during a court hearing last month. This latest development has sparked concerns about the country’s judicial system and the treatment of opposition leaders.
According to reports, prosecutors have opened a case against Melia for contempt of court, which is a criminal offense in Georgia. The charge stems from an incident on May 30, when Melia was appearing in court for his refusal to comply with a parliamentary investigative commission probing alleged crimes during the previous government’s era. During the hearing, Melia splashed water at Judge Irakli Shvangiradze after being removed from the courtroom. Prosecutors claim that Melia also verbally insulted the judge.
Melia has been in pretrial detention since May 29, when he was arrested for defying a parliamentary commission. His arrest was widely criticized as an “abduction” by opposition leaders and human rights groups. The new charges against Melia could see him face up to two years in prison.
**A Pattern of Intimidation?**
Melia’s case is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised concerns about the treatment of opposition leaders in Georgia. Zurab Japaridze, another prominent opposition figure, was placed in pretrial detention last month for refusing to comply with a similar commission. Melia himself has been critical of the government’s handling of these commissions and has called them “politically motivated.”
“This is just another example of political repression against Nika Melia,” said Elene Khoshtaria, a colleague of Melia’s in the Coalition for Change. “He has become a victim of the government’s attempts to silence him and other opposition leaders.”
**The Impact on Georgia’s Judiciary**
The new charges against Melia have sparked concerns about the impartiality of Georgia’s judiciary. Critics argue that the country’s judges are increasingly under pressure from the government, which is using its control over the courts to silence opposition voices.
“This case highlights the need for reform in Georgia’s judicial system,” said a lawyer familiar with the case. “The government should be ensuring that our judges are independent and impartial, not serving as tools of political repression.”
As Melia’s trial continues, Georgians will be watching closely to see how this latest development unfolds. Will Melia face justice, or will he become another victim of the country’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies?
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