There is commotion near the courtroom inside the Tbilisi City Court building, where the preliminary hearing of Zurab (Girchi) Japaridze is scheduled to take place.

Attendees and supporters of Japaridze are demanding a change of courtroom, claiming that the current one is too small and will not accommodate everyone who wishes to attend. Chants of “Change it!” can be heard on site.

The hearing was scheduled for 15:00, but it has not yet started. Zurab Japaridze himself has not entered the courtroom.

Amid the noise, patrol police officers arrived at the scene and are trying to defuse the situation.

It is also worth noting that journalists are prohibited from entering the court building with cameras, microphones, or photo equipment. Media representatives are only allowed to attend the hearing without recording. Only the “Public Broadcaster” is permitted to film the proceedings.