Vepkhia Kasradze: Four of us from “Lelo” have been arrested, and we’re the traitors of the country? — We’re not attacking anyone, and if having a different opinion and strategy is considered betrayal, then let someone explain what real betrayal is, and I’ll respond

“There are four of us from the ‘Lelo’ party detained, and we are the traitors of the country? Whoever touches my dignity, I will definitely hold them accountable. ‘Lelo’ is my family, just like these guys and you have become. We don’t attack anyone, and if having a different opinion and strategy is considered betrayal, let them explain it to me, and I will tell them what real betrayal is.

There are four of us from the ‘Lelo’ party detained, and we are the traitors of the country? Whoever touches my dignity, I will definitely hold them accountable. ‘Lelo’ is my family, just like these guys and you have become. We don’t attack anyone, and if having a different opinion and strategy is considered betrayal, let them explain it to me, and I will tell them what real betrayal is,” said Vepkhia Kasradze, accused of organizing group violence, during his court hearing.

He requested permission from Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili to make a statement, which the judge granted.

Vepkhia Kasradze also spoke about the decision of “Lelo – Strong Georgia” regarding participation in the local self-government elections.

“Your Honor Tamar [Judge], as you know, I was a member of the ‘Lelo’ party, and now I have been appointed deputy secretary-general. I haven’t even thanked my team. I want to tell my teammates one thing: this promotion was not a joyous occasion for me; any advancement is a huge responsibility for me. I have carried this burden for a long time—it’s called the burden of the homeland, and I fight for my homeland. You may be surprised, but I have been fighting since I was 12 years old. The desire for freedom ignited in me in the first grade; I tore off a necklace… I was invited to act in the Tskhinvali theater, where I played a leading role. An explosion happened in my soul. At 17, I joined the national movement; at 18, I was in the Russian army and staged a rebellion, which led to the creation of the Georgian Guard. What I’m simply recounting required great dedication. By the age of 21, I had been through three wars and survived certain death at least 20 times. I was held captive; I won’t even mention the August 8 war, when I evacuated the population after, unfortunately, that government abandoned us. People like me are called traitors, and the ‘Lelo’ party is supposedly full of traitors because we are participating in the local self-government elections. I swore brotherhood to Mamuka and took an oath at the Shindisi heroes’ memorial that we will pull this country out of the swamp. I am ready to lay down my life for my homeland. A verdict will surely come, and we will be sentenced—you must be prepared for this. I cannot call for a boycott or for elections; I have made my choice and stand by my party until we achieve victory. I was categorically against participating in these elections, but when Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were detained, I became convinced that if the government wanted us to participate in the elections, they wouldn’t have detained them. There are four of us from the ‘Lelo’ party detained, and we are the traitors of the country? Whoever touches my dignity, I will definitely hold them accountable. ‘Lelo’ is my family, just like these guys and you have become. We don’t attack anyone, and if having a different opinion and strategy is considered betrayal, let them explain it to me, and I will tell them what real betrayal is—let them not talk nonsense. I have never shouted anything at anyone.

I want my homeland to love me as much as I love it. I respect any strategy. There are two ways to change the government: through elections or revolution. In the current situation, our choice is very risky, but Georgians have historically won many battles. We must fight within the framework of our constitution. Who takes responsibility for what follows a coup d’état? I’m not calling for anyone to sit in prison; we shouldn’t be sitting here either, but that’s how it turned out.

Thank God, I hadn’t seen a single prison before, and now I’ve seen this one too. I’ve been through hell, but I’ve never said to anyone, ‘I fought, so why didn’t you?’” Kasradze stated.

For reference, three of the detained individuals—Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili—are accused of organizing and leading group violence. They face 6 to 9 years of imprisonment.

Five of the accused—Giorgi Gorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—are charged with participating in group violence. They face 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.