Manuchar Mikeladze, one of the individuals detained in connection with the events that took place near the Athoneli Presidential Palace on October 4, delivered his final statement in court, claiming that the proceedings against him are politically motivated and that the events themselves were a provocation.

Mikeladze is the only one among the 13 defendants who refused to enter into a plea agreement.

Exercising his right to a final statement before the court, he said:

“What is happening here today, and what has been happening in our country over the past years, is both ridiculous and tragic. People fighting for the country’s future are being punished and locked in prison. How can you sentence Georgians - people fighting for the country, for a European future, for their children’s future - to five years in prison?

This was a provocation. If you consider yourselves a so-called legitimate government and were protecting the Presidential Palace, why was the special forces unit not standing outside? Why were they hidden inside? Between us, the angry citizens, and the special forces, there were only five or six police officers standing there. They were there for a provocation.

Why did thousands of people go there? Because we are angry. Corruption flourishes in this country, nepotism flourishes, and propaganda has overwhelmed the country. The so-called authorities suppress the will of the overwhelming majority. Should I be punished and separated from my family for opposing that?”

Mikeladze further alleged that the authorities had deliberately engineered the situation:

“If this was not a provocation planned by an illegitimate government, why were there only a few police officers standing between the angry crowd and the hidden special forces, officers who were insulting us? The fence had been cut. I was the first person to check whether it had been cut.

The investigator claimed he investigated the case and concluded that Manuchar Mikeladze struck an officer. Why didn’t he investigate my claim that there was a provocation against us?

Murusidze’s court is trying me, and I am the criminal? Should I spend five years in prison for fighting for the future of this country, including the future of your children?”

Mikeladze also admitted physically striking a police officer, arguing that he had been provoked:

“Yes, I hit him. He deserved it, and I hit him. He left me no other choice. Does he have the right to insult my family and my children? I went up to him and hit him.

I am not the criminal. The criminals are those who are destroying this country’s future.”

According to the prosecution, Mikeladze has been charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the attempted seizure or blockade of a strategic or specially important facility committed by a group. He is also charged under Article 225(2), which relates to participation in group violence. If convicted, the charges carry significant prison sentences.