**Tbilisi Court Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Opposition Leader Amid Rising Tensions**
On May 22, a judge at the Tbilisi City Court ruled to keep opposition leader Zurab Japaridze in pre-trial detention. This move has sparked international concern and condemnation.
The court’s decision was made after Japaridze refused to appear before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged abuses committed by the former United National Movement (UNM) government. Japaridze is the leader of the opposition party Girchi – More Freedom, which like many others has rejected the legitimacy of the parliament elected on October 26.
**International Condemnation**
As news of the arrest spread, leaders from across Europe and beyond condemned the move. Anna Lyberg, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia, stated: “Sweden is concerned by the developments in Georgia with growing pressure on the opposition including arrests of opposition leaders like Zurab Japaridze and adoption of repressive laws threatening the democracy.”
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke out against the arrest, saying: “Democratic decline, along with repressive actions against civic society, including unfounded detentions, is the way to nowhere. Our solidarity with Zurab Japaridze!”
**European Parliament and Human Rights Groups Weigh In**
Leaders from the European Parliament have spoken out against the move. Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member, stated: “The detention of Georgian opposition politician Zurab Japaridze is appalling and unjust.”
Dan Barna, MEP, Vice President- Renew Europe, added: “Zurab Japaridze has been arrested in a sham political trial. Democracy, freedom, and the rights of Georgian citizens are in danger.”
ALDE Party, Liberal International, and ALDE PACE issued a joint statement condemning the imprisonment of Japaridze: “We strongly condemn the imprisonment today of Zurab ‘Girchi’ Japaridze… These are the conditions in which popular liberal politician Japaridze was sentenced today for bravely standing against a politically motivated commission.”
**European Governments Speak Out**
Governments from across Europe have also spoken out against the arrest. The British Embassy Tbilisi stated: “The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the pre-trial detention of Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze… This is further evidence of Georgia’s serious democratic decline.”
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “We are concerned about the detention of Zurab Japaridze and the closed nature of his trial. We call on Georgian authorities to uphold democratic values, rule of law and respect fundamental rights and freedoms.”
**Norway and Sweden Also Condemn Arrest**
Bergljot Hovland, Norwegian Ambassador to Georgia, stated: “Norway is deeply concerned by the Georgian authorities’ crackdown on the opposition… This assault on democracy is unacceptable.” Anna Lyberg, Swedish Ambassador to Georgia, also expressed her country’s concern.
**What Does It Mean?**
The arrest of Zurab Japaridze has sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the state of democracy in Georgia. The move is seen as an attempt by the ruling Georgian Dream party to silence opposition voices and maintain control over the government.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will affect the country’s relations with its European partners and whether there will be further international pressure on the Georgian authorities to respect democratic values.
