Zurab Japaridze declines to pay bail in response to non-attendance at investigative commission

“I have not signed any document. My case is likely to be sent to court today, where the imposition of punitive measures will be discussed. I refuse to pay a single Lari. The purpose of bail is to ensure I do not leave the country, but I have no intention of leaving Georgia,” stated Zurab Japaridze, leader of the Girchi for More Freedom party, who has been indicted for failing to attend the investigative commission meeting, which studies activities of 2003-2012 government and its officials.

Japaridze expressed concern that he might be stripped of his passport, as his foreign travel coincided with the imposition of sanctions against leaders of the Georgian Dream party and high-ranking officials involved in the violence against protesters.

“They may believe my situation warrants merit, but I have no connection to the sanctions. However, they could still revoke my passport. I do not intend to leave this country. I have never lived anywhere else. I want to reside here. I want my children to grow up in Georgia,” he explained.