Mate Davidze is not being punished for a crime, he is being punished for fighting for freedom, - this is how Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the Strategy Builder, responds to the 4 years and 6 months of imprisonment of 21-year-old Mate Davidze, accused of attacking a police officer.

According to Vashadze, "this is the regime's revenge and the capture of freedom-loving people."

"Ivanishvili is doing everything to take revenge on young people, citizens, and everyone who loudly protests injustice. The so-called government is ready to sacrifice everything to silence everyone, just to stay in power.

They cannot silence us! They cannot stop us! Together we will end this regime and regain our freedom! Mate and all prisoners of conscience will definitely be free!", - declares Giorgi Vashadze.

The court found Mate Davidze, 21, guilty of assaulting a police officer.

Judge Nino Galustashvili sentenced him to 4 years and 6 months in prison.

Mate Davidze did not attend the verdict, leaving the courtroom after the final speech, saying he "couldn't listen to this."

The fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, was present at the announcement of the verdict.

Mate Davidze was charged under Part 1 of Article 353 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assaulting a police officer. The offense carries a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years.

Three police officers - Bidzina Zhamerashvili, Levan Kodalashvili and Giorgi Estatishvili - have the status of victims in the Mate Devidze case. Specifically, according to the prosecutor's office, the defendant hit them with a flagpole.