Gedevan Popkhadze, a member of the Coalition for Change, says that Georgia currently has political prisoners and an illegitimate government, a situation he says he is protesting through his ongoing hunger strike.

As Popkhadze stated following today’s briefing at the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the accusations announced only strengthen his determination to continue his protest.

“This is an accusation in the best traditions of 1937 — when a person is charged with a crime that is either impossible for them to commit or lacks any legal basis. We are witnessing the activation of a powerful repressive system in the country, one that is now physically destroying all opponents. Moreover, it seeks to instill a psychological sense of hopelessness — to make us believe that there is no way to bring this process into a legal and legitimate framework.

I fully understand the government’s motivation, but no one here has even contemplated any attempt at a coup d’état. The truth is simple: we want sanctions. Yes, I want sanctions against an unjust and violent regime.

The existence of political prisoners in the country is a clear sign of national isolation. The authorities operate by one principle: their opponents must be imprisoned. That is why we say there is political persecution and repression in the country,” he said.

According to Popkhadze, the government is “deliberately increasing the number of political prisoners to maintain power and control over state resources”.

“They see this country as a milking cow, which they will slaughter once it runs dry. This is our homeland, and we will not give it up to anyone. I protest that there are political prisoners and an illegitimate government in Georgia. My motivation to continue the hunger strike is growing even more,” Popkhadze stated.

Earlier today, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia announced that criminal proceedings have been initiated against Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.