Tbilisi City Court has sentenced Mate Devidze to four years and six months imprisonment.

The decision was made by Judge Nino Galustashvili.

Before the verdict was announced, Devidze left the courtroom and declared: “Today will probably be the last day. Perhaps you won’t see me for a long time. I came from Telavi to join the protests, to peacefully demonstrate with my friends against the country’s deviation from its European course. On the morning of 19 November, on Chavchavadze Avenue, when uniformed groups began [their operation], I had been awake for two days and couldn’t comprehend what was happening. When they began using excessive force against us, I got caught up in the chaos and tried to escape, but couldn’t manage it. Then you know what happened. We are being sacrificed simply so that your commander’s orders are fulfilled. Forgive me, friends, but I must leave the courtroom. I cannot listen to this decision.”

Mate Devidze was arrested on 19 November 2024 during a demonstration on Melikishvili Avenue. He was charged under Article 353, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which covers resistance against police officers, special penitentiary service personnel, or other government representatives with the aim of hindering, stopping, or changing their activities in maintaining public order.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​