Jailed Garibashvili Announces Boycott of Court Hearings, Calls Case a 'Political Masquerade'

Days after being charged Aug 24 with a new bribery count carrying 11-15 years, imprisoned former PM Irakli Garibashvili skipped his Aug 25 hearing and released a prison letter declaring he saw no point in attending proceedings he called a 'disgraceful political masquerade,' saying he knew 'what and how the system controls the political process.' In an Aug 26 follow-up statement he said, 'I will no longer participate in your show! Nor am I interested in what you will make any prisoner/hostage write,' adding he would be represented solely by his lawyers while communicating with the public directly.