Zurab Japaridze: We have motions, including to cancel bail – They’ll likely push for pre-trial detention - This is exactly what we expected – The only reason they’re continuing the Hearing now is to avoid mobilizing police again

"The only reason they are continuing the court hearing now (after working hours) is because they don’t want to bring and mobilize all these police forces again — they’ll have to pay them bonuses afterwards," said Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze during a break in his court hearing.

According to Japaridze, the defense has repeatedly requested that Thea Tsulukiani be summoned for questioning, but those motions never even make it to her because the court refuses to allow them.

“None of the motions filed by our side have been satisfied by the judge, while all of their motions, of course, are granted. We also have motions on the table, including one to cancel the bail. They’ll likely propose pre-trial detention later. Nothing extraordinary is happening — it’s exactly what we expected.

We had previously filed motions to summon Thea Tsulukiani for questioning, multiple times, and the court rejected them every time. The issue never even reached Tsulukiani — they don’t dare take it that far, so they block it right here in court. The whole point was for her to come in and be asked why I’m being summoned at all.

The only reason they’re still holding court right now, after hours, is that they don’t want to go through the trouble of mobilizing this police force again. They’d have to pay out bonuses. Everyone — the police and the judge — knows they have to make the decision today. They can’t afford to do this a second time.”

Japaridze also called on the public to continue protesting, emphasizing that resistance must be visible from the outside.

“The protest must continue in every form, including tonight on Rustaveli Avenue. Marching on Rustaveli is a matter of principle. From the outside, it must be clear that there is resistance — that there are still people fighting for freedom,” he stated.