Businessman Elizbarashvili denies wrongdoing, ready to serve prison term ‘and come out twice as courageous’

Detained businessman Tamaz Elizbarashvili has denied committing any crime and said he is prepared to serve a prison sentence, addressing the court during his hearing.

“If the prosecutor is trying to frighten me with prison, I will go to prison and come out twice as courageous. So, was it dangerous that I put my hand on my chest? I did not commit a crime, Mr. Judge. And if I frightened those seven people, I will publicly apologize,” Elizbarashvili said.

Elizbarashvili described the circumstances of the incident at a restaurant, saying seven people approached him from one of the restaurant’s private rooms and identified themselves as employees of Imedi TV. According to him, they demanded that he apologize, telling him they disliked his civic position.

He said he became upset because his wife was waiting for him upstairs and he did not want her to see or hear the confrontation. According to Elizbarashvili, one of the seven men insulted him and threatened him, while he himself asked that the man be removed from the restaurant.

Elizbarashvili said he eventually left the restaurant after telling his wife he would return, adding that he returned because he wanted to end the conflict.

He also told the court that he had high blood pressure and had taken medication because he was feeling unwell. When he returned to the restaurant, he said, nobody was there. He put his hand on his chest because he was feeling sick, asked a security guard whether the men were waiting for him, and was told that the restaurant was closed and nobody was there. He then left for his car.

Elizbarashvili concluded by reiterating that he does not consider himself guilty and said he would apologize publicly if the seven people felt intimidated by him.