“The law states that the period of solitary confinement is 2 months, and that only applies if you violate something, and I have violated nothing in prison. I maintain my dignity well,” said the defendant politician, Murtaz Zodelava, during a court session.

Zodelava noted that he is prohibited from telephone communication and believes this violates his rights.

“I miss you all. The restriction on contact with the outside world, which we had, has been extended for another 2 months. There is an issue regarding the prison - we are, in fact, in solitary confinement. A person can be placed in solitary only if they commit a violation, and even then, only for a maximum of 2 months… There is no place for humiliation. The law clearly states that solitary confinement lasts 2 months, and you are in solitary only if you break something - I have broken nothing in prison. I maintain my dignity well while in prison. The lawyers are aware of this issue. Our communication is restricted… I will discuss more at tomorrow’s session.

My mother is 74 years old, and I do not know what to tell her. I do not want to burden her with my political statements. She cries and cannot calm down,” Zodelava said.

For reference, Murtaz Zodelava is accused of unlawfully interfering with the work of an investigator from the State Security Service and attempting to conceal Levan Khabeishvili’s mobile phone, for which a court-issued search warrant had been issued, in order to obstruct a comprehensive, full, and objective investigation.

Zodelava’s charge is under Article 364, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which covers any unlawful interference with an investigator’s activities to obstruct a full and objective investigation. This action carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment.