“I saw the footage and what can I say — it really looks like a pre-staged performance where everyone has their role. I am sure people are not buying it. Just as they no longer swallow the October 4 ‘fence-overturning’ story,” — this is how the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, assessed the incident involving opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili, who allegedly attempted to set fire to the registry office of the Tbilisi City Court.

According to Saakashvili, sooner or later everything will become clear.

“Some people may really be haunted by the ghost of van der Lubbe, who burned the Reichstag. Back then, the ‘Nazis’ staged a performance — they lured the Dutch communist van der Lubbe into the Reichstag, completely unprotected, and allowed him to start the fire without interference. Afterwards, they arrested countless opponents on terrorism charges — including Georgi Dimitrov — and launched a massive wave of repression. I smell the same performance here.

I am sure that, as in similar situations elsewhere, regimes have provocateurs embedded in protest movements who will do anything for money. In this particular case, without indisputable evidence, I cannot point fingers at anyone. It is also possible that someone intentionally pressures a person and pushes them toward a certain act — this too is a very common method used by security agencies.

I saw the footage, and what can I do — it strongly resembles a pre-staged spectacle where everyone has their part. I am sure people are not buying it. Just like they no longer swallow the October 4 fence-overturning narrative.

Sooner or later everything will be exposed, and meanwhile, we continue the struggle — we broaden it and intensify it,” Saakashvili wrote on Facebook.

For reference, Aleko Elisashvili has been charged under Article 19-323, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the attempted commission of a terrorist act. This offense carries a penalty of 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.

According to the investigation, a masked Aleko Elisashvili arrived at the Tbilisi City Court building on November 29 at around 04:00, armed with a firearm, ammunition and items necessary for carrying out a terrorist act. Using a hammer, he shattered the exterior glass of the court registry building and entered the facility. The Prosecutor’s Office reported that he poured a large amount of flammable substance on objects and documentation inside the building and attempted to start a fire. According to the investigation, the politician also assaulted and beat one of the court security officers.