Parliament to consider Badri Japaridze’s mandate following conviction

Following a court decision in which TBC Bank co-founders Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze were convicted of fraud in a case dating back to 2008, it remains to be seen whether the former will remain a member of parliament.

Khazaradze’s MP status was revoked in mid-November at his request. 

• Lelo opposition party leaders found guilty of fraud, prison term waived

When a court issues a guilty verdict against a member of parliament, the issue of termination of authority arises. We will, of course, discuss the issue and present the conclusion to the plenary session of the Parliament,” said Irakli Kadagishvili, chairman of the Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules.

The Parliament has 15 days to make a formal decision on Japaridze’s MP mandate following the ruling’s entry into force.

The conclusion will be sent to the bureau [after which] the Parliament of Georgia will decide on the termination of powers based on political expediency. Therefore, the parliament will have the final say,” Georgian Dream party MP Guram Macharashvili said.

For Japaridze’s mandate to be revoked, at least 76 MPs must vote in favour of stripping Japaridze of his MP status in the 150-member parliament.

• Politicians respond to TBC Bank case court decision

Both Japaridze and Khazardze have denied the charges brought against them.

According to Japaridze, if the Georgian Dream party discusses the issue of revoking his mandate, it will be assessed as an attempt of political persecution.

As for the termination of my parliamentary mandate, I’ve listened to the assessment of the leaders of the Georgian Dream, they say that they will discuss this issue. I have not heard any categorical statement from them,” he said.

Lelo for Georgia won four seats in parliament in the 2020 parliamentary elections. In the recent municipal elections Lelo candidates failed to win any of the mayoral constituencies.