Politician Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia, who was detained on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act, will remain in custody.

This decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Mzia Garshaulishvili.

The investigative period in Elisashvili’s case was extended, and as a result, at today’s hearing, the preventive measure applied to the politician was reviewed and remained in effect.

The prosecution requested that Aleko Elisashvili remain in custody. According to Prosecutor Mariam Berdzenishvili, no new circumstances have emerged in the case that would justify changing the preventive measure.

The defense did not agree with the prosecution’s position. The lawyers requested that the preventive measure be lifted. They also disagreed with the qualification of the charge. According to lawyer Archil Chofikashvili, Elisashvili broke a window worth 110 GEL, which the prosecution is now trying to portray as an attempted terrorist act. Chofikashvili also noted that Elisashvili has previously been sentenced to six years in a neighboring country [Russia] for helping Ukrainians.

Before the decision to keep Elisashvili in custody, the judge removed him from the courtroom.

The judge made this decision after Elisashvili called on her to “maintain her dignity.”

Elisashvili addressed the court:

“I am in a prison where criminal traditions are followed, and in the evenings, disputes are settled. For the first time, I heard the prosecutor use a criminal argument. They argue for imprisonment that I might hide or flee the country. At the very first hearing, I said the first bailiff was very brave, and I demanded your system reward him. If public officials worked this conscientiously, we wouldn’t have a country like this. I have no complaints against the three bailiffs — yes, they hit me, but I hit back. There are only three witnesses; I respect them. What pressure could I possibly exert? Isn’t that remarkable to you?

Let me speak [to the judge]; please don’t keep interrupting me. I am ready to give my passport, pay bail; I have no intention of fleeing. I have never heard such a criminal argument from people following criminal traditions — yet that is what the prosecutor presents.

Mamuka Mdinaradze is a supporter of mine; by his order, I was taken to that prison. There is a prison card to buy items, but there are things that cannot even be in your cell. Even though they don’t belong to me, they imposed more restrictions to make my situation harder, thinking I would start crying and miss my mother…

They gave me a TV after a month, but the channels are disgusting. Thanks to everyone who attends marches and rallies… [During the New Year] there was a truce in prison, no fights happened. Perhaps the opposition will reconcile and not fight until Easter — that’s what the truce is about.

Finally, one piece of advice [to the judge]: maintain your dignity. I understand you have an assignment, but you are very awkward to watch,” Elisashvili said before being removed from the courtroom.