Georgian opposition figure Irakli Okruashvili has been sentenced to 8 months in prison and banned from holding public office for 2 years after being found guilty of refusing to cooperate with a temporary investigative commission of the Georgian Parliament.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili, follows Okruashvili’s refusal to appear before the commission on March 26 despite being summoned to provide an explanation.

He was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which penalizes non-compliance with parliamentary investigative commissions. The offense carries penalties ranging from a fine to up to one year in prison and/or temporary disqualification from office.

Okruashvili did not attend the court hearing and was not given the opportunity to make a final statement.