Paata Manjgaladze: Our goal should not be to add new political prisoners, but to mobilize the existing force as much as possible – we need leaders together, not in prison, but on the front line of the struggle, alongside the people

As the protest enters an increasingly decisive phase, I believe that Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and Zura Japaridze are needed not in prison, but outside, on the front line of the struggle, together with the people! – said Paata Manjgaladze, a member of Strategy Aghmashenebeli.

According to him, the goal should be to maximize the mobilization of the existing force.

"I express the greatest respect for everyone who chooses imprisonment by refusing to pay bail – this is truly a morally strong and dignified act. But at a time when the protest is entering an increasingly decisive phase, I believe Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and Zura Japaridze are needed not in prison, but outside, on the front line of the struggle, with the people!

The regime’s strategy from the beginning has been to isolate leaders and turn the protest into a headless resistance.

It is a fact that modern autocracies are defeated by a society united around a common goal – not by prisons. In neither Belarus nor Russia have prisons strengthened the protest – on the contrary! Ivanishvili's regime already has enough political prisoners – what we need now is greater unity and greater strength!

Therefore, our goal should not be to add new prisoners, but to mobilize the existing force as much as possible – to organize powerful resistance. That’s why I believe we need leaders not together in prison, but together with the people, on the front line of the struggle!” – stated Paata Manjgaladze.