Opposition Leader Nika Melia Detained Ahead of Court Hearing
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, May 30, 2025
Nika Melia, a leading figure in Georgia's opposition Coalition for Change, was detained in Tbilisi on May 29, 2025. His arrest occurred one day before he was scheduled to appear in court regarding charges connected to his refusal to testify before a parliamentary commission controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Melia's lawyer, Giorgi Kondakhashvili, voiced concerns over the legality of the arrest, pointing out that the bail deadline had not yet expired and that no court order had changed his client's pretrial conditions. According to the lawyer, police officers intercepted Melia's vehicle and detained him by force.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the arrest and stated that Melia was charged under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code, which refers to disobeying or insulting law enforcement officials. This administrative offense comes on top of an existing criminal charge under Article 349 of the Criminal Code for his failure to testify before the parliamentary commission investigating past government actions.
The court had previously ordered Melia to pay bail of 50,000 GEL by May 30. Non-compliance could have led to imprisonment for up to one year. His sudden arrest before that deadline raised suspicions among political allies and international observers.
U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson condemned the move, claiming it was part of a broader crackdown on political opposition in Georgia. He warned that such actions could bring international consequences, including sanctions, and criticized the government's perceived alignment with authoritarian interests abroad.
Melia is not the only opposition leader under pressure. Politicians like Nika Gvaramia and Zurab Girchi Japaridze have also faced similar legal challenges. Japaridze was arrested earlier in May after refusing to comply with a court-ordered bail payment.
