Tbilisi City Court Judge Lela Maridashvili granted bail to Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, setting the amount at GEL 50,000 as a preventive measure, for failing to attend the parliamentary investigation commission meeting, which studies activities of the 2003-2012 government and its officials.

The judge fully upheld the request made by Prosecutor Natia Tatiashvili. The prosecutor argued that Melia posed a risk of committing a new offence and absconding. As evidence, she cited Melia’s prior criminal case and the bail conditions allegedly violated when he failed to appear before the parliamentary temporary investigative commission. Tatiashvili added that absconding did not necessarily mean leaving the country—she claimed Melia was also difficult to reach within Georgia.

Melia denied committing any crime, arguing that the investigative commission was unconstitutional due to the absence of opposition MPs, which he claims is required by law. He maintained that refusing to attend an unconstitutional commission could not be considered a legal violation. Melia publicly challenged both the judge and the prosecutor to name the opposition members on the commission. The prosecutor declined to answer, while the judge stated the court would not assess the commission’s legitimacy, focusing solely on the preventive measure.

Melia and his lawyer noted that he did not flee even when facing a potential nine-year sentence, arguing that a one-year sentence would not justify going into hiding. Melia also criticized Judge Maridashvili for past rulings, including allegedly ignoring injuries sustained by protest participants in November–December and failing to question their treatment by riot police.

The judge responded that Melia could have filed a motion for her disqualification. Melia’s lawyer requested his release without detention.

The pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 29. The courtroom session was tense. The prosecutor urged the judge to maintain order, and the judge reprimanded Nika Gvaramia, stating that attendees were not allowed to participate or ask questions during the proceedings.