UK condemns detention of Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze as “wholly disproportionate”

The British Embassy in Tbilisi has expressed deep concern over the pre-trial detention of Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze, calling the move “a wholly disproportionate measure, aimed to intimidate and silence political opposition.”

In a statement released on Friday, the Embassy said Japaridze’s arrest, alongside a recently passed law seeking to ban opposition parties and statements by the ruling Georgian Dream party about declaring them unconstitutional, signals “further evidence of Georgia’s serious democratic decline.”

“Pluralistic, multi-party democracy is an essential part of Euro-Atlantic values,” the Embassy emphasized. “Georgian Dream must reverse these anti-democratic measures now.”

Japaridze, who heads the More Freedom – Girchi party and is a leading figure in the opposition Coalition for Change, was detained on May 22 in the courtroom after Judge Irakli Shvangiradze approved the prosecution’s motion to replace his 20,000 GEL bail with pre-trial detention. The charge stems from his refusal to appear before a parliamentary commission formed by the ruling party — a refusal he said was based on principle.

“This is not about justice — it’s a political case,” Japaridze told the court. “There is no rational reason why I should be imprisoned. If everyone refuses to participate in this lie, this regime will collapse.”

He faces charges under Article 349 of Georgia’s Criminal Code for noncompliance with a court order, which carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. The case is ongoing.

The parliamentary commission in question, established on February 5 by Georgian Dream to investigate the era of the previous United National Movement government, has faced widespread criticism for being a political weapon against dissent. Opposition parties and civil society organizations have denounced it as illegitimate and repressive.

Japaridze is not the only opposition leader targeted. Several other prominent politicians — including Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, Givi Targamadze, Giorgi Vashadze, and Nika Gvaramia — have been charged and fined for refusing to appear before the commission. Former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili was also jailed earlier this month after declining to pay bail.

Both Melia and Gvaramia have stated they will not pay, joining Japaridze in rejecting what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions.