Jano Chkadua, the lawyer of Zurab Menteshashvili, who was arrested for blocking the road on Rustaveli Avenue for the second time, explains the conditions under which his client is being held in the penitentiary.

As he told InterpressNews, Zurab Menteshashvili is still on hunger strike, which is why he does not have appropriate conditions in prison.

“In Gldani prison, he was in one of the cells on the second floor, where there were cockroaches. The cell was then disinfected, there was a specific smell and he had to stay in this situation. After that, he was transferred to another cell, the so-called solitary confinement cell, where he also found dirt and cockroaches. He does not have a towel, hygiene products, a brush, or a means to wash his hands. He does not have the means to clean his cell and has to stay in these inhuman conditions. According to his explanation, this is because he is on a hunger strike. One of the reasons for his hunger strike is to continue the protest he had outside in this form,” Jano Chkadua said.

For information, an investigation was initiated against Zurab Menteshashvili under Part 1 of Article 347 of the Criminal Code, which refers to violation of the rules for holding an assembly or demonstration. Menteshashvili was detained on administrative charges for a similar action on October 24, 2025, and was sentenced to seven days in prison. Accordingly, due to the repeated commission of the action, an investigation was initiated against him under the Criminal Code.