**Georgian Opposition Leaders Face Bail and Fines Over Refusal to Cooperate with Investigative Commission**
In a move that has sparked concerns about the ruling party’s intentions, two leaders of the opposition Lelo party have been ordered to pay bail and fined for refusing to comply with a parliamentary investigative commission. Badri Japaridze, the leader of the Lelo party, was told to pay 50,000 GEL (around $18,200) in bail, while another party leader, Mamuka Khazaradze, received the same fine.
The investigative commission, established by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is probing alleged crimes committed during the rule of the United National Movement (UNM), which was in power from 2003 to 2012. However, the commission’s mandate has recently been expanded to cover the entire period from 2003 to the present, raising suspicions that it is being used to target current opposition figures beyond the UNM era.
**Opposition Leaders Reject Commission’s Authority**
The move has been met with resistance from opposition leaders, who have rejected the validity of the commission and the parliament in which it was established. On April 2, three leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change – Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and Zurab Japaridze – were summoned by the commission but refused to comply. They have been boycotting parliament since the contested October elections.
**GD’s Plans to Ban Opposition Parties**
The Georgian Dream party plans to send the final report of its investigative commission to the Constitutional Court, seeking to ban the UNM and what it calls its “successor parties.” These parties include several main pro-European opposition forces. This move has been criticized by many as an attempt to silence the opposition and maintain the ruling party’s grip on power.
**The Impact**
The developments have significant implications for Georgia’s already fragile democracy. The country has seen a decline in freedom of speech and assembly, with the authorities increasingly cracking down on dissenting voices. The actions of the Georgian Dream party only serve to further erode trust in the government and its institutions.
In conclusion, the refusal of opposition leaders to comply with the investigative commission and the subsequent fines and bail have created a tense situation in Georgia. As the country struggles to maintain its democratic trajectory, it is crucial that all parties respect the rule of law and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully.
**What’s Next?**
The fate of the UNM and other opposition parties hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court reviews the GD’s request. It remains to be seen how the court will rule on this matter, but one thing is certain: the Georgian people deserve a transparent and fair democratic process, free from interference by any party or individual.
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