“The political retribution is entering a new phase of revenge. I see no indicator that this phase will be lighter than the previous one; on the contrary, I believe a new wave of repression is expected in the country.

Yesterday, we were informed late that they wanted to refine the charges, for which we came to meet the defendants and political prisoners and to review the new formulation of the charges. The content is unknown; it could be a technical or substantive change. Both are possible. I don’t see any purpose in aggravating the charges - the articles in the indictment are already absurd, and I don’t expect any other scenario.

Prosecutors have already entered, and I am going in as well,” said Shota Tutberidze, Paata Burchuladze’s lawyer.

For context, the leaders of the “Rustaveli Avenue” movement - Paata Burchuladze, former Prosecutor General Murtaaz Zodelava, “United National Movement” member Irakli Nadiradze, one of the leaders of “Strategy Aghmashenebeli” Paata Manjgaladze, and Colonel Lasha Beridze - were placed under pre-trial detention.

Murtaaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze are charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempt to seize and block strategic and objects of particular importance, committed collectively), Article 225(1) (organization and leadership of group violence), and Article 317 (incitement to violently change Georgia’s constitutional order and overthrow state power), punishable by up to 9 years of imprisonment.

Lasha Beridze is charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) and Article 225(1), punishable by up to 9 years of imprisonment.

Paata Manjgaladze is charged under Article 225(1), punishable by up to 9 years of imprisonment.