According to the statement issued by Irakli Nadiradze, a member of the United National Movement, he does not recognise any part of the charges brought against him.

During the trial, Nadiradze asserted that all these accusations should be directed at Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“I have never evaded responsibility in my life, and I do not intend to start now. I deny all the charges presented. The first accusation is that I conspired to overthrow the constitutional order of the state. However, the person who has constitutionally overthrown this state is Bidzina Ivanishvili. He manipulated the elections and seized power illegitimately. No one recognises his legitimacy. Moreover, last November, they declared that the country was no longer progressing towards Europe. That, too, was a constitutional overthrow. Therefore, Bidzina Ivanishvili should be charged.

As for the second charge, organising a violent group, if anyone has orchestrated such groups, it is Bidzina Ivanishvili. I urge the prosecutors to also charge him with this offence.

The third accusation pertains to the seizure of strategic facilities. These facilities belong to the people, and those serving the nation should be present there. Instead, we see that, under a hijacked government, high-ranking officials occupy these buildings, preoccupied with theft and self-enrichment at the expense of the needy. Bidzina Ivanishvili should also be held accountable for the seizure of these strategic assets.

Regarding the preventive measure, I have nothing to hide; that was evident even during my detention. I will not conceal anything. If anyone expects us to go into hiding, it is Bidzina Ivanishvili, and I refuse to appease him or his team. If imprisonment is the consequence, I accept it as such. There are far too many political prisoners in this country. I am grateful for their struggle,” Nadiradze declared.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze with organising and leading groups of violence, attempting to seize objects of strategic and special importance, altering Georgia’s constitutional order through violence, and calling for the overthrow of the government.

The Tbilisi City Court has imposed imprisonment on all of them as a preventive measure.