They mentioned “prisoners of conscience” to Merab Dvalishvili, and he didn’t understand. We were arrested at a rally where we were demanding a European future. We want Europe and America to be friends of our country – the same America that you love so much. That’s what Rezo Kiknadze, one of the protesters detained during the demonstrations, said in his statement at the court hearing, addressing UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili.
As Kiknadze stated, those arrested at the rally are being punished simply because they don't want Georgia to head toward Russia.
“I’m addressing Merab Dvalishvili – they mentioned prisoners of conscience to him and he didn’t get it. I’ll explain very briefly why we’re here – we were arrested at a rally where we were demanding a European future. Kobakhidze said that as long as Georgian Dream is in power, there will be no connection or negotiations with Europe. We want Europe and America to be our country’s friends – the same America that you love so much. We don’t want to move toward Russia. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why they’re sentencing us to 5, 6, and 7 years,” – Rezo Kiknadze said.
For context: when Georgian UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili defended his championship belt for the second time, Rezo Kiknadze congratulated him from the courtroom. Later, when Dvalishvili returned to Georgia, journalists at a press conference asked whether he would attend Rezo Kiknadze’s trial to show support. Dvalishvili replied that he is an athlete and focuses on his own work:
“I’m an athlete, and I do my job. I’m sure there are many good lawyers, and you young people will do what needs to be done to help that young man. I’ve taken on a big mission – to represent my Georgia and do what I do best. You know what they say: ‘Bread should be baked by a baker.’ I wish freedom, health, and strength to every prisoner,” said Merab Dvalishvili.
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