The trial of Badri Japaridze [leader of the "Strong Georgia" coalition] is underway in the Tbilisi City Court. Today, a substantive hearing will be held on the case concerning his failure to appear at the investigative commission.

"I want to confirm once again that this is another tool for the persecution of political opponents. This so-called commission, which was created on the basis of trampling the rule of law, is a complete "fake" and its task is to persecute politicians who think differently", - said Badri Japaridze.

Prior to that, the trial of Mamuka Khazaradze was held in the Tbilisi City Court, during which a witness for the prosecution was questioned. The leaders of "Strong Georgia" have been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code.