**Georgia’s Politicians Sentenced Amid European Council Meeting**
In a move that has sparked concern among supporters of democracy, the Georgian government has sentenced Zurab Japaridze, a prominent politician and leader of the Girchi party, to 7 months in prison. Japaridze was found guilty of failing to comply with a request from the parliamentary investigative commission.
This development comes as the European Council is set to discuss Georgia’s future, a move that has led some to speculate about the motivations behind the sentencing. Salome Samadashvili, a leading member of Lelo – Strong Georgia, took to social media to express her outrage and suspicions. “Today, as the European Council is discussing Georgia and preparing to define its course of action, sentencing Zura (Girchi) Japaridze to imprisonment is a direct execution of a Russian order,” she wrote.
Samadashvili believes that this move is part of a broader effort by the Georgian government to convince the European Union that it is committed to deepening autocracy. By punishing politicians who are critical of the government, Ivanishvili’s regime may be trying to demonstrate its commitment to authoritarianism in order to gain favor with EU leaders.
The implications of this move are significant. If true, it would suggest that the Georgian government is willing to use repression and intimidation to silence opposition voices, rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue or democratic reform. This could have serious consequences for Georgia’s relations with Europe and its own democratic development.
In addition to Japaridze, two other prominent politicians, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, are also awaiting verdicts in their cases today. Their sentences, whenever they come, are likely to be closely watched by observers of Georgian politics.
**What does this mean for Georgia’s future?**
The sentencing of Zurab Japaridze and the ongoing cases against Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze raise serious questions about the direction of Georgia’s government. If these politicians are punished for their critical voices, it could set a worrying precedent for the suppression of dissent in the country.
As the European Council meets to discuss Georgia’s future, this development should be a major concern. Will the EU stand up for democracy and human rights, or will it turn a blind eye to repression? The answer to these questions will have significant implications for the future of Georgian politics and its relations with Europe.
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