Detained suspect Niko Khurtsilava warns against “anti-Georgian” ideology following assault on comedian

Shota Mirvelashvili, legal counsel for Niko Khurtsilava, who was arrested on charges of committing violence against Onise Okriashvili, has published a letter from his client, currently held in a temporary detention facility.

The letter, released on social media by the advocate, reads as follows:

“My friends, by now most of you have likely heard about last night’s incident regarding the beating of that so-called comedian. I went to the police myself and confessed to what I did.

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I have never been an advocate for violence. Whenever I witnessed a fight, I was always the one trying to break it up. Yet there are moments when no other choice remains if we are to prevent an even greater evil from befalling us. As you can all see, the signs of this have been painfully obvious for a long time.

In general, I will not say much about this specific so-called comedian, his character, personal traits, manners, and behaviour; they speak for themselves. However, I cannot remain silent about what triggered last night’s event. I am convinced beyond doubt that this so-called comedian and those like him are precisely the people who, for years, have used the most vile methods to strip people of respect for their history, their culture, and everything Georgian. Respect for everything our parents taught us, everything my own mother taught me, a woman who has worked in schools for decades and for whom the future generation is her utmost concern.

These people of degenerate mentality were disparaging and mocking the Georgian Church yesterday; today they insult Nodar Dumbadze, and tomorrow they might do the same to Shota Rustaveli, King David the Builder, or anyone else who serves as a point of pride for our nation.

That is their objective because when such acts become normalised, they are no longer merely an insult to an individual or a family; they become outright hostility and an affront to the entire country.

I am certain they are paid to do this, and they stoop to any depth for it.

It takes little insight to realise that these individuals are part of the network that attempts to excuse and legitimise everything anti-Georgian and destructive to our country, whether it be gay propaganda, abusing the Church, mocking traditions, or countless other harmful acts.

Granted, many will tell me: ‘There are so many like them, will you fight them all with your fists?’ But as a Georgian who genuinely loves his country, I have a duty to express the stance of at least one Georgian man, even if I cannot single-handedly change everything. We cannot allow our children to be raised on their ideology; they will erase this country in half a century.

No country can survive when insulting the Church, Nodar Dumbadze, David the Builder, or Rustaveli is deemed ‘acceptable’ simply because it is framed as a joke…

I am not suggesting that the rule of law should not apply. On the contrary, I know I will face punishment for my actions. However, from my perspective, there comes a point where inaction constitutes a far greater crime than action itself.

Let me take my punishment; so be it. But we must somehow ensure that we do not turn a blind eye to the anti-Georgian actions of these true agents, nor let our future generations be poisoned, amid laughter and giggles, by the anti-Georgian venom smuggled in through various guises.

To all my loved ones, I apologise for causing you distress.

I love you all dearly, and I love my homeland deeply.”