The police detained three individuals at the Tbilisi City Court, where the trial of Zurab Japaridze, the leader of the Girchi-More Freedom party, continues.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has not yet officially confirmed detentions.

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

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.