Paata Burchuladze: We all know a plea deal with Georgian Dream is not repentance; it is a way out of illegal captivity

“To the ‘well-wishers’ outside prison walls, remember this: political captives do not need hypocritical hand-wringing and tears shed from afar. They are heroes, but that does not mean they must languish in captivity for years on end instead of breaking free from this lawlessness,” reads a letter by Paata Burchuladze published on his official social media page.

Paata Burchuladze stated that he extends his full solidarity “not only to political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, but to Giorgi Davitadze, his family, and every single inmate who has fallen victim to the regime’s pressure and abuse.”

“I want to respond to the fierce debate surrounding the release of detainees from the October 4 National Assembly through plea agreements.

I have declared at every court hearing, and I will repeat it now: I am the sole organiser of that National Assembly, and no one else. I am immensely proud of that day and its historical significance. I believe it was an exemplary display of our unity and defiance against the regime; a day that reawakened a dormant resistance and proved to the entire world that the protest has not faded, that we are still fighting, and that Georgian Dream in no way represents the will of the Georgian people.

Struggle always demands sacrifice. I do not believe a single political prisoner looks back on that day with regret. On the contrary, I know they are proud and fulfilled because they fought, and continue to fight, for the liberation of our homeland.

As for the ‘well-wishers’ sitting outside prison walls: remember that political captives do not need hypocritical hand-wringing and tears shed from afar! They are heroes, but that does not mean they must languish in captivity for years on end instead of breaking free from this lawlessness. Above all, we all know that a plea agreement with Georgian Dream is not repentance; it is a way out of illegal captivity.

My heart goes out not only to prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, but to Giorgi Davitadze and his family, and to all detainees suffering under the regime’s pressure and mistreatment! The regime is on the brink of collapse, and victory is inevitable! What matters most is that we stand united and never allow ourselves to be divided!

I am proud to be one of you! Long live an unsubdued, free, and European Georgia!” wrote Paata Burchuladze.