“How do you have the nerve to go and slurp satsivi and pork stew, you scoundrel? You pig, when you sent completely innocent minors to prison, and now you’re going to slurp kharcho? They had quite the corporate party—they were cursed at, spat on, and had eggs smashed on their heads. They couldn’t escape without the military. Sure, they have the right to be idiots, pigs, and executioners, but we have the right to go and chase them out, just like yesterday,” said Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the “Strong Georgia” coalition, regarding the incident on January 12 near the “Babylon” restaurant, where judges were holding a corporate event amidst public protest and police mobilization.

According to Elisashvili, protesters managed to chase the judges out of the restaurant.

“Slaves! Do they have no shame? What kind of heart do they have? What kind of people are they, or where did these so-called judges—the most disgraceful people—grow up? They got chased out. If you can’t leave a restaurant without water cannons and riot police, shouldn’t you reflect on something? Do they only have heads to scratch?” Elisashvili remarked.

He further criticized the declining authority of the police in the country, attributing it to their unjust actions, physical violence against people, and theft from protesters.

He noted that there is growing discontent within the police force as well, as they dislike being subordinated to “criminals and scoundrels.”

“The police authority is below zero; they’ve completely discredited and humiliated the police. When a policeman steals a phone, sneakers, or a wedding ring from a beaten man or woman, the police’s image is destroyed. But there’s also significant grumbling within the force—they don’t like being under the thumb of these ‘titushky’ (pro-government thugs) and scoundrels. Yesterday, I’m sure every policeman there was cursing the judges in their hearts. Let the judges slurp their kharcho while these officers, probably starving and freezing, were running around like mad?” Elisashvili said.

The politician emphasized that what is happening in the country is not mere public protest but a determined struggle by society.

“We are a different kind of people. Open a history book—there’s no logical argument for why we’ve survived. Foreign researchers say, ‘If you don’t believe in God but read Georgia’s history, you’ll start believing in God.’ Why? Because when someone tries to oppress us, we activate a unique code of resistance and struggle. We’re not Russians or Belarusians. You can’t scare us. They hit and arrest us? We only get angrier.

They’re fools. Everywhere, those who take the initiative win and dictate the terms of the struggle. For a month and a half, the initiative has been in the hands of the people.

Who supports the Georgian Dream? Maria Zakharova and Nicolás Maduro, who recognized the independence of Abkhazia and ‘South Ossetia’ and regularly visit Iran, banging their heads on coffins in mourning circles.

Regarding recent arrests in Batumi, I’ll say this: By arresting protesters, targeting media representatives, and repressing politicians, the government weakens itself. Regimes only strengthen with such methods when a nation can be subdued. Even in Abu Dhabi, they were attacked. If we’re scared and remain fearful, the government will grow stronger. If anyone still has any sense left, stop! Before someone dies and you have blood on your hands. They can’t appear in public without guards and military. Let them get listed in the ‘Magnitsky Act’ and then wander the nightclubs of Khashuri,” Elisashvili stated.

The leader of the “Strong Georgia” coalition also commented on the diagnosis he received at the “Vivamedi” clinic and the publication of his X-ray by the clinic’s director on social media, which claimed he had no rib fracture.

He stated that he will sue the clinic and its director once the government changes and will revoke its license. According to him, both the incorrect diagnosis and the publication of his personal information constitute crimes.

“I will file a lawsuit. Once the government changes, this fascist clinic will lose its license because today’s judiciary is a mere circus. I did have a rib fracture, and they covered it up. Even the doctor who told me I only had a bruise will lose their license. As for the X-ray they published, whether it’s mine or my grandmother’s grandfather’s, who knows? In another hospital, they told me I’ve had a fractured rib for a month. I’ve been to the hospital three times, all because they keep beating me. This Nadiradze lacks the sense, conscience, and ethics to refrain from publishing my image afterward. What are you flaunting my X-rays for? First of all, whether it’s mine or not, how would I know? I’ll bleed this ‘Vivamedi’ clinic dry. Where is the personal data protection inspector? Shouldn’t they respond to this?”

Regarding his release from prison, Elisashvili expressed discomfort for the other detainees but noted that his release was not up to him.

“I felt very uncomfortable about other detainees, but my release wasn’t my decision; they released me voluntarily. My court hearing is on January 23, and those who were upset about my release may find themselves happy afterward. I’m not afraid!” Elisashvili said.