We must definitely respect the judge, as none of us sitting in the courtroom were expelled, and he patiently listened to our remarks. Perhaps we should be thankful because they imposed a fine instead of a 60-day imprisonment, though we had all packed our bags and were ready.

This is what singer Nino Katamadze said after the court session, where her administrative offense case was discussed.

According to Katamadze, she is further convinced that the ongoing protests on Rustaveli Avenue and across the country are right and should continue.

"I am once again convinced that the struggle taking place on Rustaveli Avenue and throughout Georgia is truly the right protest and must certainly continue because the most important thing—freedom, the most important thing—the right to speak, must exist in a space of solidarity, and we must win this battle with mutual support.

I didn’t even know that such an evil second side existed, such a malicious group that did everything to make sure our 'crime' was recorded.

I must definitely respect the judge because none of us sitting in the courtroom were expelled, and he patiently listened to our remarks. Perhaps we should be thankful because they imposed a fine instead of a 60-day imprisonment, although we had all packed our bags and were ready for whatever punishment we would receive. We were prepared to follow this battle to the end. However, I believe that for solidarity, any punishment is bearable, and we will collectively manage to have a judicial system where every convicted person can find hope in this house,” Nino Katamadze said.

The Kutaisi City Court found nine individuals guilty of administrative violations and imposed a fine of 5,000 GEL each.

The individuals fined were: Gela Mtvvlishvili - journalist, editor of "Georgia's News/Mountain News"; Nino Katamadze - musician, founder of the "Nino Katamadze Foundation"; Vladimir Afkhazava - teacher, first recipient of the National Teacher Award; Khvicha Vashakhmadze - journalist; Ketevan Filauri - psychologist; Maia Tsiramua - psychologist; Irina Zarandia - civil activist; Givi Tsintsadze - member of the Lanchkhuti Municipal Assembly; Eka Kukhalaishvili - journalist at "Kutaisi Post."

The administrative proceedings against various sector representatives began on January 26, following a protest held near Judge Malkhaz Okropirashvili's house in Kutaisi. The protesters were protesting the imprisonment of the founder of "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti," Mzia Amaglobeli, and expressing solidarity.

The case was processed under Article 174¹, part 3 of the Administrative Offenses Code.