Ia Tabagari, head of the Association of Tour Operators, has publicly expressed her support for Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, following their recent imprisonment. In a Facebook post, she praised their significant contributions to Georgian society, business, and culture, while condemning what she described as an unjust and politically motivated decision.
“I would like to express my support to Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, along with all unjustly detained individuals,” Tabagari wrote.
Tabagari emphasized that Khazaradze and Japaridze, both former banking executives turned political leaders, played a vital role in building one of the most functional banking systems in the region. She noted that their impact went far beyond finance.
“These people have invested their own and institutional resources into the development of art, music, education, literature, and youth sports. They financed the education and medical treatment of hundreds of people. They supported cultural initiatives, published books, sponsored exhibitions, and created sustainable jobs throughout Georgia,” she said.
Tabagari criticized the political environment that led to their sentencing, describing it as a step backward for justice and national progress.
“Even in a functional state, they would have continued to build, to invest, to create a better business environment. It is tragic that today, instead of collaborating to build the country’s future, we are once again forced to demand basic justice and freedom", Tabagari wrote.
On June 23, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze to 8 months in prison, alongside Zurab Girchi Japaridze, who received a 7-month sentence. A day later, Giorgi Vashadze was also sentenced to 7 months. The court additionally barred all four from holding public office for two years.
