While in detention, opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili made a series of highly emotional statements during a court hearing, commenting on recent government personnel changes as well as the charges brought against him.

“In your indictment, the motive and context look like we are living in Denmark - birds are chirping, justice is flourishing, this building is supposedly a guarantee of justice and security for citizens. And suddenly I woke up one Saturday at 5 a.m., poured gasoline under my arm, came here and was supposed to burn everything down - like I had a breakdown. But that’s not what happened. In reality, this building is a place of humiliation and injustice. Women were beaten here, and then they said they weren’t even women. I witnessed that. And then those same people were drinking toasts to women.

When I saw all this, it enraged me. You think I was supposed to just swallow that and live like that? How can those who imprison innocent women sleep at night?

Everything has turned around now. Those who did this - judges, prosecutors, bailiffs - they will see what they have done. Ivanishvili only cares about himself and his own safety. Mdinaradze saw this yesterday - that’s why he looked so desperate.

I am proud of my country, and I am proud to be Georgian. They could not break us. Even a quick look at history shows that no matter how much we are oppressed, we eventually win.

Ivanishvili is trying to reshape the system, but this is about prolonging his own power while weakening institutions. I am not even sure Mdinaradze’s new ministry will be created. The worst part is that these officials end up in prison in the end.

If I speak emotionally, I apologize. But when it comes to the country, I cannot stay silent.

At one point I even thought that judges and prosecutors should be killed - I thought about waiting for you at home and killing you one by one. Or I should have done something else I did not do. I am not afraid. Call me a terrorist if you want. I was born Georgian and I will die Georgian. I am responsible for my actions.

I am not like those who hide and try to solve things with chicken legs and compromises,” Elisashvili said during the hearing.

He also referred to an alleged incident involving police violence against him in April 2024, claiming he was beaten and that no one has been held accountable.

“Why is police officer Zakaria Chokheli not in prison for beating a member of parliament? It doesn’t matter that it was me. Is this your justice system? I was beaten, abducted, humiliated - and nothing happened. Two years later, there is still no answer.

I apologize for the emotions, but I am speaking about the country. I ask journalists to investigate why those responsible are not held accountable,” he said.