**Opposition Politician’s Arrest Sparks Debate in Georgia**
A court in Georgia has sentenced opposition politician Givi Targamadze to seven months in prison and banned him from holding public office for two years. The move has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that the punishment was too harsh, while others see it as a justified consequence of his actions.
Tengiz Sharmanashvili, a member of the parliamentary investigative commission, defended the court’s decision, saying that Targamadze knew what would happen if he failed to appear before the commission. “He knew this outcome was inevitable, yet he still took that step,” Sharmanashvili said.
The opposition politician had been summoned to testify before the commission, but he refused to attend. Instead, he went into hiding and later fled the country. When he returned, he claimed that he was a political prisoner, but Sharmanashvili disputes this claim.
“He is not a political prisoner in any way,” Sharmanashvili said. “The obligation to appear before an investigative commission isn’t just written in some document – it’s written in the Constitution. When you know what will happen if you don’t comply, and you still refuse, then you can’t say you’re being unfairly treated.”
Sharmanashvili pointed out that other opposition politicians who were also summoned to testify had similarly refused to appear before the commission. However, when they faced court proceedings, they cooperated fully with the authorities.
“They recognized the court’s authority when it suited them,” Sharmanashvili said. “But then they refused to accept its decisions. They’re inconsistent and make so many mistakes that later they can’t justify themselves to their voters.”
The arrest of Targamadze has sent shockwaves through Georgia’s opposition movement, with some calling for greater unity and cooperation in the face of what they see as a concerted effort by the government to silence them.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the fate of opposition politicians in Georgia will be closely watched in the coming months.
