“This process is fabricated and concocted, and each of these individuals [the witnesses] has been assigned a role. It is difficult to play such a role - to point a finger at an innocent person and then have to bear responsibility for it for the rest of your life. Naturally, these people are struggling with that,” said Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of “Strong Georgia – Lelo,” after the conclusion of a court hearing in the so-called sabotage case.

According to Japaridze, witnesses presented during the proceedings become confused when asked clarifying questions.

“The witness was a high-ranking police official who, in fact, said nothing of substance and ultimately confirmed neither a person nor a specific time or date.

This process is fabricated and concocted, and each of these individuals [the witnesses] has been assigned a role. It is difficult to play such a role - to accuse an innocent person and then carry responsibility for it throughout your life. Naturally, they find it difficult. When asked clarifying questions, they become confused and can no longer substantiate anything.

I did not even have any questions for him. Regarding me, he only said that I had attended a protest rally. I believe this process is so damaging to the country that it is impossible to imagine a greater act of sabotage against the state than the conduct of this case and the political persecution associated with it.

We should be committed to eliminating divisions within society. We must unite around our country’s interests and calmly face any challenge. We must not lose our balance and should remain hopeful about the future of our country,” Japaridze said.

For context, charges in the so-called sabotage case have been brought against Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab Girchi Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.

More specifically, Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab Girchi Japaridze have been charged under Articles 318(1) and 319 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, relating to sabotage and assisting a foreign state in hostile activities, offenses punishable by seven to fifteen years of imprisonment.

Elene Khoshtaria has been charged under Articles 318(1), 319, and 321 Prima(1), relating to sabotage, providing material resources for such activities, and assisting a foreign state in hostile actions.

Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze have been charged under Article 318(1), which concerns sabotage.

Mikheil Saakashvili has been charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code, which concerns public calls for the violent alteration of Georgia’s constitutional order or the overthrow of state authority.