Prepared by Messenger Staff
Giorgi Vashadze Sentenced to Seven Months in Prison for Defying Parliamentary Commission
Tbilisi City Court has sentenced Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the opposition party Strategy Aghmashenebeli, to seven months in prison for refusing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission led by the Georgian Dream party.
The June 24 decision by Judge Nino Galustashvili adds Vashadze to a growing list of jailed opposition leaders. One day earlier, Zurab Japaridze of Girchi More Freedom and Lelo leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were handed similar sentences. All four have also been banned from holding public office for two years.
Vashadze previously served as Deputy Justice Minister under President Mikheil Saakashvili and was a United National Movement MP from 2012 to 2016. He founded Strategy Aghmashenebeli in 2016 and ran in coalition with the UNM in the October 2024 parliamentary elections.
Vashadze did not attend the court session, as with the other opposition leaders, viewing the case as politically driven. He was arrested at the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party office, where other opposition figures and Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, were gathered in a show of support.
Mariam Kvrivishvili Replaces Levan Davitashvili as Economy Minister
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced today that Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili has been removed from his post and replaced by his deputy, Mariam Kvrivishvili.
The announcement came during a briefing on June 24. Davitashvili, who had served as Economy Minister since 2022, will now take on a new role as the Prime Minister's chief adviser on economic affairs and as Secretary of the Economic Council, a body that coordinates key economic policy and is chaired by the Prime Minister.
"Leading the ministry is associated with a demanding routine," Kobakhidze said, explaining that relieving Davitashvili of the position would allow him to focus more effectively on driving economic growth, attracting investment, and managing strategic projects. The Prime Minister introduced Kvrivishvili as the new minister and wished her success in her new responsibilities.
In response, Davitashvili thanked Kobakhidze for their collaboration and expressed optimism about continuing to contribute in a different capacity. "In a new format, we will be able to further accelerate and coordinate the important strategic projects that are crucial for the country's continued development," he said.
Davitashvili also extended his gratitude to Georgian Dream founder and Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, calling his appointment to senior positions a "unique chance." He concluded by wishing Kvrivishvili success in her new role.
