“That Bacho Akhalaia’s hallmark is violence is something I will not burden the public with by dwelling on at length; his actions are well known and well remembered,” said MP Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues.

Matikashvili added that Akhalaia would do well to bear in mind that talk of overthrowing the government and calls for violence do not remain merely personal statements, as they fall within the scope of the Criminal Code.

“What they did back in 2003 was carried out in a very different state of affairs; today, their capacity to do anything of the sort against the people has been reduced to nil. The proof of that is what they did outside the Presidential Palace and the response it provoked,” Matikashvili stated.

Former Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia had earlier declared at his own court hearing: “I will do everything to bring down Ivanishvili; elections are out of the question, we are living under a dictatorship.”