Activist Rezo Kiknadze: anti-governmental protests were duty, not a crime

Activist Rezo Kiknadze told a court hearing on Tuesday that his participation in protests last year against delayed EU integration was a civic duty, not a criminal act, and vowed to continue speaking out against injustice.

Kiknadze said he had nothing to regret. “At the time, when they said ‘we don’t want Europe,’ taking to the streets was an obligation, not a crime. Yet we were treated as criminals,” he said.

He also raised concerns about alleged chemical agents used during the protests, calling for accountability. “We must know what chemicals were deployed. Until we get answers, we must keep asking, because otherwise they will repeat it, and no one will raise their voice.”

Kiknadze concluded: “What should I regret? I will continue to raise my voice against injustice.”