20-year-old Pridon Bubuteishvili, accused of attacking a police officer and damaging someone else's property during protests against the law on transparency of foreign influence, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison. The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Zviad Sharadze.

At today's trial, the defense presented its closing arguments, and the defendant himself also had the final say. He asked the judge for leniency, and apologized to the injured firefighter - rescuer, who was hit in the shoulder by a stone thrown by Bubuteishvili, and asked for his forgiveness.

According to Bubuteishvili's lawyer Dali Barbakadze, the judge did not take into account mitigating circumstances, including the fact that his client has no previous convictions, is under the age of 21, and admits to the crime.

The lawyer will appeal the court decision to a higher instance.

For information, Pridon Bubuteishvili was charged under Article 187, Part 1 and Article 353, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to damage to another person's property and assault on a police officer.

The crime was punishable by 4 to 7 years in prison.