Aleko Elisashvili: Technically, they shouldn’t arrest me today, they’re arresting me in portions – they accuse me of politically persecuting some Ali Babaev, who apparently is a great political figure – let him come and tell his ridiculous version of events

"Technically, they shouldn’t arrest me today, procedurally speaking. They’re arresting me in portions," – said Strong Georgia party leader Aleko Elisashvili, who has been charged with politically motivated persecution.­

At this very moment, his trial is underway at Tbilisi City Court. The prosecution is expected to present two witnesses at today’s hearing.

"The evidence review phase is supposed to begin. As I understand it, they may even bring in witnesses—perhaps even the main gentleman, whom the prosecution refers to as a great political and public figure, though nobody knows who he is—Ali Babaev, who in reality is a provoker planted by the State Security Service.

He staged the whole provocation—he insulted me while I was walking down the street. I’m very curious to see him come and tell his ridiculous version of events.

Today, they technically shouldn’t arrest me. The charge itself is complete nonsense. They’re accusing me of politically persecuting someone named Ali Babaev. And I’m not exaggerating—they’re claiming he is some former major and well-known political and public figure.

But this isn’t about assault or hooliganism—it’s political persecution. That’s the harshest charge the prosecution and ‘Georgian Dream’ could come up with.

Meanwhile, after this incident, there was an attack on Giorgi Gakharia—he was beaten, and there’s footage of it. The investigation into that incident was launched under the article of assault, not political persecution. So the prosecution and ‘Georgian Dream’ are basically saying that Gakharia, a man who held every top political position, isn’t a political figure, while Ali Babaev is some great political and public personality.

Lightning should strike both the prosecution and Ali Babaev—and anyone claiming Babaev is a political figure. This is clearly political persecution against me," Elisashvili stated.

For context: Aleko Elisashvili has been charged under Article 156, part 2, subparagraph "a" of Georgia’s Criminal Code (persecution of a person in connection with political activity, committed with violence), which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison.

The incident took place on December 2. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Aleko Elisashvili verbally and physically assaulted Ali Babaev—Chairman of the National Congress of Azerbaijanis and one of the founders of the "Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia" party—on political grounds near Kostava Street in Tbilisi.

Elisashvili was released on bail in the amount of 4,000 GEL.