“We can take back Tbilisi if we all come out! That’s what I believe, and I will prove to our friends in prison — to Zura, to Nika, and to Nika — that this is the only right path,” said Lelo – Strong Georgia leader Mamuka Khazaradze during a meeting with party members at the party office, after a judge sentenced him to 8 months in prison for failing to appear before the Parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
According to Khazaradze, the dismantling and de-occupation of the ruling party must begin from Tbilisi:
“I call on everyone to fully mobilize! We can take back Tbilisi if we all come out! Every party leader is in prison. Today, we still have hope that the protest movement in Tbilisi and several major cities will unite and we’ll kick them out — the dismantling and de-occupation must begin from Tbilisi! That’s what I believed, and still believe — and I will prove to our friends in prison, to Zura [Japaridze], Nika [Melia], and Nika [Gvaramia], that this is the only right path.
Sitting at home now, with your hands and ears dropped, is a crime. That’s what Bidzina Ivanishvili wants! We must not allow it! We must take back Tbilisi! We must dismantle this Russian regime — and we will do it! As for anyone who gets scared by Bidzina — to hell with that!” declared Mamuka Khazaradze.
For context, Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of Lelo – Strong Georgia, was found guilty by the court of failing to comply with the request of Parliament’s temporary investigative commission. Judge Zviad Sharadze sentenced him to 8 months of imprisonment and barred him from holding public office for 2 years.