Tbilisi City Court has imposed a GEL 30,000 bail on Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Ahali Party, as a preventive measure for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission, which studies activities of the 2003-2012 government and its officials.

The decision was made by Judge Eka Barbakadze, who upheld the prosecutor’s motion. According to the prosecutor, Gvaramia violated legal requirements by refusing to appear before the commission. The prosecutor said that there is a risk he could commit another offence or flee.

Gvaramia, who attended the hearing with popcorn, stated that he did not recognize the legitimacy of the commission, calling it unconstitutional. He declared he had no intention of appearing before it or paying the bail.

“In ten out of ten cases, an independent judge would not have made this decision. We’ll see whether I pay it or not. I won’t decide this alone—my team and I will make the decision together, as it affects not just me, but the entire party,” Gvaramia said.

The prosecutor’s office has charged Gvaramia under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for failing to appear before the commission, which refers to “failure to comply with the request of the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.”

This offence is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, with deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in activities for up to three years.