Opposition Lelo party leader ordered to pay ₾50,000 bail following failure to comply with request of Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission

Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday ruled to impose a bail of ₾50,000 on Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of the opposition Lelo party, who was charged with the failure to comply with the request of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia.

During the court hearing, the matter of pretrial measures against Khazaradze was discussed. The prosecution requested the imposition of a ₾50,000 bail, while the defence sought to have Khazaradze released without any preventive measures. The accused was present at the hearing.

The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia on Tuesday formally charged Khazaradze with failure to comply with the lawful demand of the parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012.

Despite receiving the official summons signed by the Commission's Chair on March 22 and being aware of his legal obligation to appear before the Temporary Investigative Commission, Khazaradze failed to attend the session without a valid excuse.

He had also been warned about the legal consequences of non-compliance. His absence resulted in a failure to fulfill the Commission's lawful demand.

Khazaradze has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia - non-compliance with a request of the provisional investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.

The offense is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, along with the potential deprivation of the right to hold office or engage in certain activities for up to three years.