The leader of the “Coalition for Change,” Nika Gvaramia, has been sentenced to imprisonment as a preventive measure. The decision was made by Judge Jvabe Nachkebia of the Tbilisi City Court.

At today’s hearing, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted a motion to replace the previously imposed preventive measure — a bail of 30,000 GEL — with imprisonment.

According to the prosecutors, the reason for the motion was Gvaramia’s failure to pay the bail.

After a break requested by the defense, the judge asked the lawyers to state their position on the motion. In response, lawyer Dimitri Sadzaglishvili said that, after consulting with Gvaramia, they had only one thing to say — that the judge should make the decision independently.

Nika Gvaramia was not present at the hearing. Reportedly, he is on his way to Rustavi’s No. 12 penitentiary facility.

For reference, Nika Gvaramia had been summoned to appear before the Georgian Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission to give a statement but failed to do so. As a result, he has been charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to “failure to comply with the request of a parliamentary investigative commission.” The article is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, and/or disqualification from holding office or pursuing certain activities for up to three years.

Nika Gvaramia had been ordered to pay bail in the amount of 30,000 GEL as a preventive measure.

He was given 50 days to pay the bail, which expired on June 7.