Opposition Leader Gvaramia expresses support for Melia: ‘my support is as fighting citizen and patriot’

Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, on Thursday condemned the sentencing of Nika Melia, calling the courtroom incident - where Melia splashed water on the judge - a symbolic political protest.

He noted that Melia was given an additional year and a half in prison and will remain behind bars for over a year more.

“The water thrown by [Melia] at the executioner wrapped in a judge’s robe is a protest gesture made on behalf of politicians, just like the slap delivered by [journalist and media founder] Mzia Amaghlobeli on behalf of the media, and the slap delivered by [poet] Zviad Ratiani on behalf of culture to the regime’s enforcers dressed in police uniforms,” Gvaramia wrote.

Gvaramia stressed that his support for Melia and his family stemmed not from friendship but from solidarity with a “fighting citizen and patriot”.

“Very soon, we will all be together outside! As long as we fight, as long as we are not afraid, as long as we do not let fatigue and disappointment turn into laziness and resignation - we can confidently and fairly say: we are winning!” he stated.

He concluded with calls for the release of Melia and all “political prisoners,” adding: “Freedom for Georgia!”