Deputy Justice Minister Beka Dzamashvili asserts that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on Nika Melia’s case is a landmark decision that sets a precedent applicable to any politician who chooses to disregard the law for political reasons.

Dzamashvili clarified that in 2023, the European Court explicitly stated that Nika Melia’s detention and arrest were by the European Convention, affirming that his detention was not politically motivated.

“Georgia’s society remembers well the circumstances under which Nika Melia was detained in February 2021. Certain actors sought to incite political tension within the country. When Melia was detained and arrested, some claimed that his detention was unlawful and inconsistent with European standards.

However, two years later, in September 2023, the European Court examined the case and explicitly concluded that Melia’s detention and arrest conformed to the European Convention, affirming that his detention was not politically motivated.

The most crucial message in this decision is that Melia was aware that failing to pay bail would result in his arrest. The court emphasized that it is unacceptable for any politician to violate the law and then refuse to comply with legal obligations for political reasons. Such actions would undermine order in any country and would contradict the core principles of the European Convention and the rule of law—foundations upon which the Council of Europe is built,” he explained.

According to Dzamashvili, the court’s decision holds significant implications for the future.

“The European Court clearly stated that violating the law, even driven by political motives, is inadmissible, as it contradicts the spirit of the European Convention. Therefore, Nika Melia’s case sets a vital precedent that will be relevant for all politicians in future cases,” he concluded.