Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, has been sentenced to prison as a preventive measure after failing to pay a 30,000 GEL bail. The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Jvebe Nachkebia. Gvaramia did not attend the court session.
The Prosecutor’s Office requested that Gvaramia’s bail be replaced with imprisonment, citing his non-compliance. The 50-day deadline for paying the bail expired on June 7.
Gvaramia turned himself in at Rustavi Penitentiary No. 12 and addressed journalists beforehand, stating:
“I obey the Constitution of Georgia, not the Georgian Dream. If I must go to prison for this, so be it. The case is fabricated, like those opened against all political leaders who refused to attend the unconstitutional commission. We are fighting against Russia, and we must be ready for anything.”
Gvaramia was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for failing to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Georgian Parliament. The article carries penalties ranging from a fine to up to one year in prison or restrictions on holding public office for up to three years.
Gvaramia had initially been released on bail, but the court ruled for detention after he failed to fulfill the payment requirement.
