Rezo Kiknadze to Judge Nino Galustashvili: Sooner or later, Mate will walk out of prison with his head held high, but no one will honor you. No one will shed tears for you. No one will fill the courthouse yard for you – don’t think you won’t be held accountable!

"I want to tell Mate – you're an amazing guy. We will rise again, we’ll lift each other up, and one day we’ll play that guitar together," – said Rezo Kiknadze, one of the protesters detained during the demonstrations, addressing Mate Devizde, who was convicted of assaulting a police officer, during a court hearing.

According to Rezo Kiknadze, sooner or later Mate Devizde will walk out of prison with his head held high.

“Yesterday, a completely harmless, honest, bright, pure, and innocent 21-year-old was arrested and sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. I want to ask you, Ms. Nino [referring to Judge Nino Galustashvili], when years from now your grandchildren ask you: ‘Where were you when the fate of the country was being decided, when people were fighting for freedom and sacrificing themselves for it?’ – what will you answer? ‘I was standing in the way, sending to prison the people who were fighting for the future and well-being of their homeland?’

That’s okay – sooner or later, Mate will walk out of here, and he’ll open the prison doors with his head held high...

But when you are put on trial – and you certainly will be, for yesterday’s ruling and not only yesterday’s – no one will honor you. No one will cry for you. No one will fill the courthouse yards for you. No one’s heart will ache for you. Don’t think you won’t be held accountable for the illegality you’ve carried out and decided on,” said Rezo Kiknadze.

Context: 21-year-old Mate Devizde, accused of assaulting a police officer during a protest on November 19 on Melikishvili Avenue, was found guilty. According to the verdict by Judge Nino Galustashvili, he was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. Devizde had swung a flagpole at a police officer during the demonstration.