Zurab Japaridze on the October 4 case: Court proceedings are a masquerade – This country is drowning in injustice, lack of prospects, and hopelessness, and no one knows when it will erupt – One example of such an eruption was October 4
“Court proceedings are a masquerade — I have never had optimistic expectations, and I do not have them now,” said Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change.”
According to him, the country is drowning in injustice, lack of prospects, and hopelessness. He describes the October 4 events as one of the “outbursts” of this situation.
“This process is a masquerade, which we have seen more than once. This country is drowning in injustice, lack of prospects, and hopelessness, and no one knows when it will erupt. One of the examples of such an eruption was October 4.
The detained individuals are patriots, and of course everyone should be free. However, leaving that aside, there is no evidence in the case that specific individuals committed anything.
I have never had optimistic expectations, and I do not have them now,” Japaridze said.
For context, the Tbilisi City Court held a hearing in the case related to the events of October 4 near the Orbeliani Palace, involving defendants Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Ia Darakhvelidze, and five other individuals, where the defense lawyer for Ia Darakhvelidze delivered a closing statement.
It was also reported at the hearing that one of the defendants, Zakhro Albutashvili, is planning to enter into a plea agreement with the prosecution.
For context, the individuals detained in connection with the October 4 events — Konstantine Kokaia, Davit Zhghenti, Kakha Mzhavanadze, Davit Sturua, Zakhro Albutashvili, Giorgi Chakhunashvili, and Ia Darakhvelidze — were charged under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to an attempt to seize or blockade strategically and specially important facilities committed by a group. They were also charged under Article 225, Part 2, which refers to participation in group violence.
Ia Darakhvelidze and Giorgi Chakhunashvili are currently released on bail.
In total, 64 individuals have been brought to criminal responsibility in connection with the October 4 events. At this stage, plea agreements have been reached with 22 individuals.
