Japaridze is the founder of one of the few explicitly libertarian political parties in a post-Soviet state, — 'Girchi' (which means 'pine cone') — 'More Freedom.' And in June 2025, he was sentenced to 7 months in Rustavi prison for defying a parliamentary commission run by the ruling party, Georgian Dream. But in 2024, Georgian Dream reintroduced the "foreign agents bill," as it became more commonly known, and pushed it through. This right has faced setbacks, however, and Georgian Dream recently criminalized the possession of over 5 grams of dried marijuana. As Georgian Dream consolidated power, the regime "basically created an atmosphere of terror," including office raids, beatings, and harsh arrests.