Gakharia about protesters in custody: ‘They are symbol of Georgians’ fight for freedom and European future’

Giorgi Gakharia, leader of For Georgia, has reacted to Tbilisi City Court Judge Ketevan Jachvadze’s decision to keep 11 detained protesters in custody. Gakharia praised the detainees as symbols of resistance and inspiration for Georgia’s fight for freedom and European integration.

“The fight for the Georgian people’s freedom and European future already has its undefeated symbol – these young men, who are far freer than the entire regime that imprisoned them,” Gakharia wrote on social media.

He emphasized that the strength and resolve of the detained protesters serve as motivation for the ongoing struggle for democratic reforms and justice in Georgia. “These young men give us the energy and determination that will inevitably lead us to a shared victory! Freedom for political prisoners! Freedom for Georgia!” Gakharia concluded.

The 11 protesters, including Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadze, Guram Mirtskhulava, Luka Jabua, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Irakli Kerashvili, Valeri Tetruashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Revaz Kiknadze, and Sergei Kukharchuk, were detained during recent protests and charged with participating in group violence under Article 225, Part 2, of Georgia’s Criminal Code.

The court’s decision has sparked widespread criticism, with activists and opposition figures accusing the judiciary of acting under political pressure and targeting citizens exercising their right to protest. If convicted, the detainees face sentences of 4 to 6 years in prison.