Nina Sander, who was detained in connection with the events that took place on October 4 near the Atoneli Palace, stated that if she is not released immediately, she will begin a dry hunger strike.

At the very start of the court hearing, Sander asked Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili for time to speak about her health condition.

“I came from Germany to defend the Georgian people’s right to vote, because the elections were falsified… as a result of which this government is illegitimate and the executive branch is illegitimate; the state has been captured. I stood at bloody protests to defend Georgians’ European future, where terror and violent dispersals were taking place. I was also subjected to group violence by uniformed police officers - they knocked me down and kicked me in the throat. Like other citizens, chemical weapons were used against me as well, and after their use I have the same symptoms I hear about on television: heart problems, joint problems… I have a vitamin D deficiency, I also live a vegan lifestyle; I requested the vitamin prescribed to me in Germany, but for four months I have not received vitamin D. I have heart failure and back pain; I was not even given an ECG. Enduring pain is torture - I am undergoing torture, suffering through pain, compounded by heart problems. For four months I have not been provided vitamin D; a doctor lied to me as a vegan and brought me a non-vegan medication.

Since January my jaw has been swollen - no X-ray, nothing; they prescribed antibiotics, saying the X-ray machine was broken… No attention, no examinations, no medication. I have finished speaking both with the prison director and the prison doctor. My health was damaged by chemical weapons. I am a political prisoner. If you do not release me immediately, I will begin a dry hunger strike today, without any medication - I don’t have any anyway. As soon as I arrived in prison, a criminal offense was committed against me: they demanded that I strip, and because of my German surname they called me a fascist,” Sander stated.

Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili asked the defense attorneys whether they were aware of the information voiced by Sander. The lawyers replied in the negative and said they would submit a formal complaint to Malkhaz Urtmelidze today.

For reference, in connection with the events that occurred near the Atoneli Palace on October 4, charges were brought against Beka Kelekhsashvili, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriela Kardava, Vakhtang Pitskhelauri, Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Abo Naveriani, Anton Upers, Avtandil Surmanidze, Giorgi Muladze, and Temur Kurtsikidze under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns an attempted seizure and blockade of strategic and especially important facilities committed by a group. They have also been charged under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which concerns participation in group violence.

Mariam Mekantsishvili has been charged under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, which concerns organizing group actions.

Nina Sander has been charged under Article 225, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which concerns organizing group violence and предусматривает a sentence of 6 to 9 years of imprisonment. She has also been charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code, which concerns calls for the violent change of Georgia’s constitutional order and the overthrow of state power, carrying a penalty of up to 9 years of imprisonment.