Sporadic clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement officers outside the Tbilisi City Court as demonstrators demanded access to the ongoing court session.

According to reports, one protester has been removed from the area.

Inside the court building, tensions have also erupted between attendees and security officers. Protesters are insisting on entering the courtroom, but access is being denied due to limited space.

Security officers have stated that the proceedings are being held in a small courtroom, and not all interested parties can be accommodated. Media access to the courtroom is also restricted.

The trial of Zurab Girchi Japaridze is currently underway. He was previously granted bail of GEL 20,000 on April 16 after failing to appear before a temporary parliamentary investigative commission studying the activities of the 2003-2012 government and its officials. The bail expired on May 18.

Following an appeal by the commission, the Prosecutor’s Office charged Japaridze under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to failure to comply with a request from the Temporary Investigative Commission of Parliament. The charge carries penalties of a fine, imprisonment of up to one year, or disqualification from holding public office or engaging in specific activities for up to three years.