“I’m genuinely curious—did you sleep peacefully last night after the unjust verdict you delivered against Saba Jikia?” These words were addressed by journalist Nika Katsia, who is charged with a drug-related crime, to his case judge, Tamar Mchedlishvili, who yesterday sentenced 19-year-old Saba Jikia, detained during protests, to 4 years and 6 months in prison.

According to Katsia, “the regime can never obscure the truth.”

“First and foremost, solidarity with Saba Jikia—the regime can never obscure the truth… I also absolutely want to address an issue that is important to me as a colleague, because it has been four years since the death of my colleague, my friend, my classmate, Lexo Lashkarava, who was killed by the regime.

I also want to express my condolences, and please convey this in every possible way, to the family of Onise Tskhadadze, whose murder by the regime has deeply shaken and affected me.

I’m genuinely curious—did you sleep peacefully last night after the unjust verdict you delivered against Saba Jikia?” Katsia stated.

For reference, Nika Katsia was charged under Article 260, Part 6 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the illegal acquisition and storage of narcotic substances in large quantities.

This offense carries a penalty of 8 to 20 years or life imprisonment.

Nikusha Katsia was detained on December 7.