**Georgian Opposition Leader Charged**
Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Lelo opposition party, has been charged by the Georgian Prosecutor‘s Office. He was not cooperative with a parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes from a previous government.
Khazaradze is accused of disobeying a request from the commission. He could face a fine or up to one year in prison if found guilty. The charge is based on Article 349 of Georgia‘s Criminal Code.
The parliamentary commission, set up by the ruling party Georgian Dream, had also invited another Lelo leader, Badri Japaridze, to its meeting. Japaridze did not attend and may now face similar charges.
**Background**
Yesterday’s meeting of the commission dealt with a claim made by Jemal Leonidze that Khazaradze and Japaridze were involved in business racketeering against his company, Magnati. The opposition parties are boycotting parliamentary work due to disputed elections last October.
**No Cooperation Expected**
The opposition has vowed not to comply with the commission’s requests to appear at its meetings. This means that the commission may have difficulty gathering information and evidence for its investigations.