“You represent a Russian regime. I am ashamed on your behalf,” — lawyer Shota Kakhidze told prosecutors Roin Khintibidze and Nugzar Chitadze during a court hearing.

The lawyer made this statement at the trial of those charged in connection with the October 4 protest, among them his client, Davit Giunashvili. According to the lawyer, the Prosecutor’s Office accuses Giunashvili of hitting a police officer on October 4, but there is no evidence to support this.

“You cannot speak to Davit Giunashvili from a moral pedestal. A man whose house in Tskhinvali was burned down by Russians, who fought against the Russian regime — and you claim that this 72-year-old man hit a police officer? Do you have any evidence? You do not have any evidence. It is shameful! Davit Giunashvili fought against the Russian regime, he was attending a protest rally, and you represent a Russian regime. I am ashamed on your behalf,” said Shota Kakhidze.

In addition, according to the lawyer, 72-year-old Davit Giunashvili was diagnosed with diabetes upon his admission to the penitentiary institution. The lawyer submitted a document regarding Giunashvili’s health condition during the hearing, which the court accepted as admissible. The lawyer requested a change of the preventive measure, noting that imprisonment constitutes punishment for Giunashvili and is being used to instill fear in others.

For reference, 13 individuals — Kakhaber Kvachantiradze, Simon Makharadze, Gia Toloraia, Mikheil Toloraia, Avtandil Topchishvili, Iuri Lomidze, Giorgi Talakhadze, Davit Giunashvili, Saba Kordzaia, Giorgi Kirvalidze, Koba Epitashvili, Manuchar Mikeladze, and Beka Machavariani — have been charged under Article 19-222, part 2, subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to an attempt to seize and block strategic and specially designated facilities committed by a group. They are also charged under Article 225, part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to participation in group violence.