Levan Ioseliani: I have visited Aleko Elisashvili several times and will continue to do so - he is in good spirits, reading and writing a book on fortresses
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani says he has visited Aleko Elisashvili, the leader of the Citizens party who is being held on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act, several times and plans to continue doing so.
Speaking on PalitraNews’ program 360 Degrees, Ioseliani said that Elisashvili does not face day-to-day problems in prison, is in fairly good spirits, and is currently reading and working on a book about fortresses.
“It is very unfortunate what is happening around Aleko Elisashvili. We disagree on many issues and often argue, but ultimately I hope that all of this will soon come to an end for him,” Ioseliani said.
According to the Public Defender, Elisashvili is awaiting trial and a verdict and does not appear to be experiencing serious emotional distress.
“He is doing fine. I wouldn’t say he has any particular concerns. He is waiting for the court proceedings and the verdict. He has restrictions [on meetings with family members] and asked me to help ensure that he is given the opportunity. If meetings with a lawyer are allowed, through whom information can also be conveyed, I don’t see what problem there should be with meeting his underage child. I will reflect this issue in my report,” Ioseliani said.
He added that his visits to Elisashvili will continue.
“Of course, I have visited him several times and will continue to do so. I don’t go to Aleko only in my capacity as Public Defender - he is my childhood friend, and I would visit him in any case. What is happening around him is very unfortunate. Both outside and inside, we disagree on many things and argue, but in the end, I hope this situation will soon be resolved in his case,” Ioseliani noted.
Ioseliani emphasized that Elisashvili has no everyday living problems in detention and maintains normal relations with the prison administration.
“He is quite resilient; I wouldn’t say he is depressed. He told me that he is reading and writing a book about fortresses. He is working on that for now. He also exercises. What he misses the most is meeting his children,” the Public Defender said.
