“There was a time when we respected people in uniforms, the police, but that stopped. In the '90s, we called those in uniforms ‘dogs,’ but today, you’re not even dogs. We are being punished for the truth, so sentence us to whatever you want,” said Jano Archaia, detained on charges of participating in organized group violence.

He delivered a lengthy final statement, addressing several parties, including Georgia’s fifth president, who was present at the hearing.

“This is a circus, something childish. The prosecution pretends to ‘prove’ something but can’t, they don’t even know what they’re doing, clinging to nonsense. We come here to encourage each other, telling ourselves we’ll go and see our loved ones. Here, I now consider everyone my loved one.

Thanks to our fifth president - until this government is gone, until something changes, you will remain our president. Thank you for your appreciation.

Thanks to our heroic lawyer, personal thanks to Mr. Omar [Furtseladze], you are a professional. You exposed the prosecution and the court. They may not want to see it, but the whole country does.

I am Jano Archaia, son of Revaz. The son of that Revaz who fought alongside Zviad and Merab since 1988. At 14, on April 9, I stood by my father’s side. I’ve been fighting ever since. I’m now 59, I haven’t missed a thing, I fought in Abkhazia. I am defending Georgia’s dignified future. I want my grandchildren to have a bright future, and that’s why we’re being punished here.

I want to say two words to the Patriarchate and address the clergy: your spiritual children are being chased in the streets, 19- and 20-year-old boys and girls have their lives ruined, thrown in prison, and meanwhile, they say they don’t want to get involved in politics. This isn’t about politics - it’s about protecting your spiritual children.

I also want to address the prosecutors. From that day, I realized what your service is… There was a time when we respected people in uniforms, the police, but that stopped. In the '90s, we called those in uniforms ‘dogs,’ but today, you’re not even dogs. We are being punished for the truth, so sentence us to whatever you want… We are ready even if you sentence us for life. Unlike others here, we’ll be free even in prison, and we’ll defeat you from there.

I’ve met amazing people. I’m older than them, but we are brothers; they are my younger brothers.

Thanks to my big family on Rustaveli. One of our fighters is worth 50 or 100, not those Chechens and traitors called Kobakhidze and his gang. Don’t be afraid; prison isn’t scary either. For people like us, there’s no danger there, we’re fine there too.

I want to address my big family: fight to the end, don’t surrender this country to these Chechens!” Jano Archaia stated.

Judge Nino Galustashvili has retired to deliberate on the verdict.