“There is not a single indication of a crime in the case, and this is a classic example of political persecution,” stated Shota Tutberidze, the lawyer for the accused Paata Burchuladze.

He explained that the content of the charges is incomprehensible.

Tutberidze read the text of the manifesto that was voiced by Paata Burchuladze during the protest rally.

“The content of the charges is incomprehensible to me, and I couldn’t understand what Paata Burchuladze is being accused of. We do not have naive expectations that legal arguments can change anything, but I would like to ask both you and the prosecution to perhaps provide a legal qualification for all of this, because the prosecution sometimes cites statements made on one media outlet and sometimes on another.

There is not a single indication of a crime in the case, and this is a classic example of political persecution,” Tutberidze stated.

For reference, Murta Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze have been charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempt to seize and block strategic and particularly important objects, committed by a group); Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence); and Article 317 (incitement to violently change Georgia’s constitutional order and overthrow the state government), which provides for imprisonment of up to 9 years.

Lasha Beridze has been charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempt to seize and block strategic and particularly important objects, committed by a group) and Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence), which provides for imprisonment of up to 9 years.

Paata Manjgaladze has been charged under Article 225, Part 1 (organization of group violence), which provides for imprisonment of up to 9 years.