Fifth President condemns ‘shameful’ verdict as 21-year-old protester jailed

Georgia’s fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, has condemned the sentencing of 21-year-old protester Mate Davidze, calling the court’s decision “shameful” and declaring that the young man had become a symbol of national dignity.

Speaking outside Tbilisi City Court following the verdict, Zourabichvili accused the judiciary of betraying democratic values and operating without independence.

“There is no court in Georgia,” she said. “A country where there is no court is no longer a country.”

Davidze was sentenced to four years and six months in prison by Judge Nino Galustashvili. He was not present in the courtroom during the sentencing. The young activist had been arrested during a protest on 19 November 2024, following the Government's decision to halt the country’s EU integration until 2028.

Zourabichvili criticised the courtroom’s display of state symbols - the national flag, coat of arms, and a banner referencing justice - calling their presence an insult in light of the ruling.

“This is an insult to every person who is standing here, and to every silent citizen of this country,” she said. “Mate Davidze was born today, as a person. He entered our history, and we will not forget him. He will always be a symbol of our dignity - and those who applauded this verdict, the judge, the prosecutor - they will be remembered as symbols of slavery.”

The former president expressed hope that Davidze’s case would be reviewed by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.