The Strong Georgia – Lelo coalition has responded to the verdict handed down against one of its leaders, Aleko Elisashvili, stating that the ruling demonstrates that Georgia's courts have become instruments of political retaliation rather than institutions of justice.

According to the coalition's statement, it is particularly alarming that there is an attempt to portray Elisashvili as a terrorist when, in its view, the terrorism charges are not supported by credible and convincing evidence.

The coalition describes Elisashvili as "a political prisoner of the Bidzina Ivanishvili regime."

"The imposition of a 13-year prison sentence on one of our coalition's leaders is an unjust and politically motivated decision that has nothing to do with justice. Particularly alarming is the attempt to portray him as a terrorist when the terrorism charges are not based on credible and convincing evidence.

Even before the trial began, Aleko Elisashvili was publicly branded a terrorist by Shalva Papuashvili, thereby giving the court a direct instruction to deliver today's verdict.

Aleko Elisashvili is a political prisoner of the Ivanishvili regime. This is yet another example of how the authorities use the courts to persecute and intimidate political opponents.

Neither repression, political persecution, nor unjust verdicts will stop the idea of freedom and democracy in this country. History will ultimately judge the actions of this regime and hold every responsible individual accountable.

Strong Georgia – Lelo expresses its solidarity with and support for Aleko Elisashvili, his family, and his friends.

We believe that politically motivated justice is temporary, while freedom is inevitable.

Regimes that maintain power through repression have historically had a limited lifespan.

The day will soon come when Aleko Elisashvili is free, and independent justice, the rule of law, and democracy are restored in Georgia," the statement reads.

For reference, politician Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia – Lelo coalition, was found guilty by the court on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act.

Under the ruling of Judge Giorgi Gelashvili, Elisashvili was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment. The case concerns an incident at the Tbilisi City Court Chancellery building, where employees of the court's bailiff service stopped Elisashvili's actions, after which he was arrested at the scene by law enforcement officers.