**Georgia’s President Accuses Government of Political Repression**
In a statement released on behalf of the “Resistance Platform,” Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zurabishvili, has condemned the arrest of opposition leader Zurab Japaridze as a direct political attack on leaders. The move is seen by many as a sign that the government is becoming increasingly desperate and willing to use force to silence its critics.
According to Zurabishvili, the parliamentary temporary investigative commission was created solely to target politicians like Japaridze, who is a member of the “Coalition for Change.” The President accused the commission of being a tool to detain political leaders, rather than investigating crimes committed by the previous regime. She also highlighted that civil activists and public figures are already being imprisoned on trumped-up charges.
Zurab Japaridze, the leader of the “Girchi” movement, was denied bail and instead handed over to police after a hearing at the Tbilisi City Court. The court’s decision has been widely criticized as a clear attempt to silence opposition voices in Georgia. Japaridze’s arrest is seen by many as a significant escalation of political repression under the current government.
**The Verdict Against Georgian Dream**
Zurabishvili’s statement also contained a message for the ruling party, Georgian Dream. She accused them of being “helpless” and unable to know where or how far to take their repressions. The President warned that every regime that reaches this stage is doomed to fall.
“It has nothing to do with justice; this is a political case and a sign that direct political attacks on leaders are beginning—this is one aspect,” Zurabishvili said in her statement. “We need resilience, but we must understand that a verdict has been delivered today—a verdict has been delivered against Georgian Dream.”
**The Impact on Georgia**
The arrest of Japaridze and the growing climate of repression have significant implications for Georgia’s politics and society. The opposition is likely to become even more united in their efforts to challenge the government, while the ruling party may continue to become increasingly isolated.
For the people of Georgia, this development means that they will need to be prepared to stand up for their rights and resist the growing authoritarian tendencies within their country.
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