There is no factual evidence for the charges filed against us - this case is truly unprecedented political persecution with its absurdity, no other qualification can be given to this process, - the leader of Lelo-Strong Georgia, Badri Japaridze, told journalists at the City Court, where a hearing on the so-called sabotage case was held.

According to him, there is no precedent for criminal prosecution of political leaders due to gestures.

"A few days ago, we saw how 20 members of the Georgian Dream physically assaulted two Members of Parliament from Gakharia for Georgia. The Speaker of Parliament then said that no criminal case had been initiated anywhere on similar “incidents” - we are talking about the merciless beating of two Members of Parliament. What has no precedent is that political leaders are being prosecuted for gestures. Moreover, because of gestures, the witness police officers are unable to repeat them, they cannot say when this gesture was made, what it was used for. Today, two police officers were present, one of whom practically said nothing. He said that we were at the demonstration, but he does not remember which day it was. Nothing has changed and will not change, because there is no evidence against us. There is no factual evidence for the charges filed against us. Several witness police officers say only that they remember the gestures. They do not remember where they saw them, what day it was, what time of day it was. We are dealing with such absurdity. This case is truly an unprecedented political persecution in its absurdity, no other qualification can be given to this process," said Badri Japaridze.

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

More specifically, Giorgi Vashadze and Zurab Girchi Japaridze were charged under Article 318, Part 1 and Article 319 of the Criminal Code, which pertain to sabotage and assistance to a foreign country in hostile activities. The type and extent of the aforementioned punishment includes imprisonment for a term of 7 to 15 years.

Elene Khoshtaria was charged under Article 318, Part 1, Article 319 and Part 1 of Article 321, Prima, of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertain to sabotage, providing material resources for the aforementionead crime, and assistance to a foreign country in hostile activities.

Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were charged under Article 318, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to sabotage.

Mikheil Saakashvili is charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code, which refers to calling for the violent change of the constitutional order of Georgia or the overthrow of the state government.