"I do not intend to participate in a Stalinist trial!" – said Zurab Chiaberashvili, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, regarding his summons to the session of the temporary investigative commission studying the activities of the former UNM government.

As he wrote on social media, the goal of the commission is to attempt to rewrite history and is directed against Georgia’s national interests.

“The Russian regime has named me first among those summoned to the Stalinist trial. It is an honor. This regime has always been the counter-revolution to the Rose Revolution, and its goal from the very beginning was to rewrite history. Just as the 1921 occupation could not erase our three years of independence, and the 1991 civil war could not erase the words ‘The will of the Georgian nation has been fulfilled...,’ the 2012 counter-revolution cannot erase the achievements of the Rose Revolution.

In 2013, when I was also arrested on absurd charges and dragged through court for nine months, I knew what kind of regime we were dealing with, but I did not run then, and I will not run now. My response to the current, equally absurd charges was already given on May 6, 2004. History, which is being written now, will also provide an answer.

Unfortunately, the creation of the foundation for this Stalinist trial is not only the work of regime propaganda. Every 'Georgian Dream = UNM' type message, even when written as a joke on Facebook, serves the regime’s attempt to rewrite history. Even if nothing else had been achieved between 2004-2012, the peaceful restoration of Georgian sovereignty over Adjara, freeing it from Russian control, would have been enough to justify the Rose Revolution. For 12 years now, messages like ‘these ones are worse than those ones’ have dragged our country into a whirlpool of negativity and kept regime propaganda alive.

I do not intend to participate in a Stalinist trial. Everyone, both at home and abroad, knows that this 'parliament' is illegitimate, but that is not the main argument. I refuse to participate because its goal is to rewrite history and undermine Georgia’s national interests. The purpose of this attempt is not just to solidify the regime or block Georgia’s European future. If the regime remains, the de-sovereignization of Georgia (which, unfortunately, has already occurred) and the de jure disintegration of its territorial integrity will be inevitable.

Solidarity to Mzia Amaglobeli and Temur Katamadze, who have been on hunger strike for 37 and 33 days, respectively. Solidarity to Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Akhobadze, Giorgi Okmelashvili, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Andro Chichinadze, and all political prisoners of the regime. When we are no longer hesitant to acknowledge political prisoners regardless of our political sympathies or antipathies, we will reach the moral height necessary to bring down the regime at our feet. Strength in unity! Glory to freedom! Georgia will prevail!” – wrote Zurab Chiaberashvili on social media.

For reference, Zurab Chiaberashvili, Natia Mogeladze, and Levan Gachechiladze have been summoned to the session of the temporary investigative commission studying the activities of the United National Movement government. The next session of the investigative commission is scheduled for February 21 at 10:00 AM.