Prominent businessman Paata Ghadzadze has publicly condemned the imprisonment of Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, calling on others in the business community to break their silence and speak out during what he describes as a dangerous moment for the country.
In a post published on his personal Facebook page, Ghadzadze emphasized the enduring value of Khazaradze and Japaridze's contributions to Georgia’s development.
“The many good deeds done by Mamuka and Badri for the country and Georgian business are of such great magnitude that nothing can harm their personal names or the institutional reputation of their businesses inside and outside the country,” he wrote.
Ghadzadze warned that remaining silent in the face of such events could inflict further harm on Georgia’s social and political fabric:
“Silence is not appropriate at a time like this - it is truly harmful to the country.”
On June 23, Khazaradze and Japaridze, leaders of the "Strong Georgia" party and former executives of TBC Bank, were each sentenced to 8 months in prison for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission established by the ruling "Georgian Dream" party.
Their arrest has sparked widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, with growing concerns about the repression of political opposition, selective justice, and the overall health of Georgia’s democratic institutions.
Ghadzadze’s statement adds to a growing list of business and civic leaders who have spoken out against what they view as politically motivated persecution of opposition figures.
