“If you see a terrorist in me, I am ready to be punished; if not, I am still ready to be punished,” stated Paata Burchuladze, the founder of the “Rustaveli Avenue” movement, during the court hearing.

He spoke in detail about the events surrounding October 4.

“I want to talk about what a historic day October 4 was. For the first time in Georgia’s history, citizens from all over the country gathered. We were represented there because we felt there was a danger, and we held a national assembly. Together, we adopted a declaration.

Georgia is on the path to ruin and must be saved. It will take just a little time before scholars and historians sit down and mark this day as a day of victory… If I didn’t know who I am, I would think I am a terrorist. ‘Georgian Dream’ wants to portray us as terrorists sitting here - my whole life I’ve been helping children and young people. Would you believe that I would call on someone to stab or kill? My whole life, I’ve been helping children. Yes, I was invited to other countries, but I’ve been helping children my entire life…

I saw that the fence was broken, I climbed over it and approached the ‘robocops.’ I was trying to prevent any clashes, while Murta [Zodelava] was doing the same on the other side. And they call this inciting people to violence? They sprayed me once, twice, three times, then I felt unwell and was taken to the hospital. This young man, the police chief [Tornike Marsagishvili], came in with 7-8 armed officers. Did you see Bin Laden in me? They were measuring my blood pressure while they stood over me with automatic weapons, and then they wonder why people don’t like the police… Before, you served the law; now, you serve the regime. If you see a terrorist in me, I am ready to be punished; if not, I am still ready to be punished,” Burchuladze stated.

For reference, Murtaz 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.