“Court hearings are necessary and people attend them to find out whether someone committed a crime or not. I don’t think there’s anything to clarify in my case – I won’t go on the 23rd either,” – this is stated in a letter sent from the penitentiary facility by Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change.”

As Japaridze explains, his response is clear, and it will be interesting to see what Judge Jvebe Nachkebia’s response will be on June 23.

“Court hearings are held and attended for one reason – to determine whether someone committed a crime.

I don’t believe there is anything to clarify in my case. There is no one in that courtroom or hallway who has any doubts about me. There is no person in the world who would come forward and say I harmed them. Therefore, this trial is not about me.

This trial is about so-called judge Jvebe – even though he doesn’t realize it himself. People attend these hearings to watch live what Jvebe will do next.

Just 4 or 5 days ago, Jvebe sent an entirely innocent person to prison – just three cells away from me. Was Nika Gvaramia trying to flee? Did he repeat any offense?

The same Jvebe, for political reasons, denied a change in pretrial detention for Anton Chechin, who has an undiagnosed brain tumor and visible signs of physical abuse on his body. He left him in prison.

That’s why I didn’t attend today’s hearing, and I won’t be going on the 23rd either.

Some people with chimpanzee-level morality, who were handed a bit of power by today’s viceroy of Russia, decided that if they threatened me with prison, I’d slap on a clown’s red nose and come running.

My response is clear. On the 23rd, the interesting part will be Jvebe’s response.

Despite his actions, because of the nature of his profession, he still has a chance – to act like a human being again.

So, what will be revealed on the 23rd is whether Jvebe is ready to give up today’s prestige, his rules, his comfort, and stop wearing the clown’s red nose.

But that cannot mean a fine or anything short of full justice.

Only a fully acquitting verdict will indicate that Jvebe no longer works in the circus.

P.S. “Unfortunately, human history is full of Jvebes. The rule of Jvebes – or rule by Jvebes – must come to an end!”

According to the statement, the verdict in the case of Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” will be announced on June 23.

As Judge Jvebe Nachkebia stated, the court will give Japaridze one more opportunity to deliver his final statement.