Regarding prisoners, we have raised the issue 3 times that those whose crimes can be considered minor could be released, including Mzia Amaglobeli - the issue was not given a chance, - said the head of the Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate, Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze.

In particular, on December 31, a TV company Ertsulovneba presenter asked Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze: “We must definitely ask you and remind you, tell our viewers about the Kashveti Cathedral, how great a role various priests who were on duty in the cathedral played over the months,” to which Andria Jagmaidze replied:

“We are being accused of saying that the Patriarchate has lagged behind the people who are on the side of the protest. Several clergymen worked hard to make it seem as if the Patriarchate is opposed to them.

I will tell you, first of all, I will tell you that we have raised the issue of prisoners three times, that those who can be considered minor crimes, maybe they can be released, including regarding Mzia Amaglobeli, I had two conversations with the authorities myself, once Bishop Shio raised this issue directly with the Prime Minister. This was not followed by any steps.

We do not want any of our activities to be seen as something political by someone.

As for those nights when this happened, every night, our service fathers were on duty in uniforms and created a kind of barrier for these people so that those who were affected by tear gas and water could stand behind the church. There are many footage of this, the fathers themselves put drops in their eyes, provide water, and shelter in the church. The fathers stood in a chain right in the yard and, of course, the special forces took this into account, they did not enter there, and those who were participating in the protest were all protected behind the fathers,” Andria Jagmaidze said on Ertsulovanba.