Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia, is being questioned before a magistrate judge at the Tbilisi City Court.

As Badri Japaridze stated before the hearing, he is being questioned in connection with an investigation initiated based on Tea Tsulukiani’s appeal to the prosecutor’s office.

Badri Japaridze explains that he does not recognize the parliamentary investigative commission neither acknowledges Parliament as legitimate. Therefore, he sees no violation of the law in his non-appearance at the investigative commission session led by Tea Tsulukiani, and he will maintain this position during questioning before the prosecutor and magistrate judge.

“I do not intend to attend the session of the so-called investigative commission of the illegitimate Parliament. This is an instrument of the Russian government for settling scores with and blackening opponents. I have not violated any law, as it is illegitimate. The invitation to the commission session was a deliberate act of retaliation. No violation of the law occurred. I will continue this position in court. It is an unprecedented situation when all institutions used for retaliation against opponents have been seized, and these institutions will carry out all instructions,” stated Badri Japaridze.

The prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which concerns non-compliance with the lawful demands of an investigative commission.

Badri Japaridze was summoned for questioning at the prosecutor’s office, but he requested that the questioning take place in court.