“What do you disagree with? If you disagree, tell the people what you are doing. Don’t agree with me, don’t like me, don’t love me, I have no pretensions whatsoever,” the Chairman of the Political Council of the United National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili, stated at court proceedings.

Khabeishvili called on parties to be active and urged them to listen to the people.

“I also want to say something to the television channels. Do you know how sorry I feel for you? You have to invent topics as nothing is happening outside. I swear, I feel pity for you when I watch; you’re pitifully flailing about. If a TV producer doesn’t come up with something during the day, there’s nothing; that’s the reality. When you go on air, you’ve got nothing left to say; don’t you realise? I’ll tell you exactly what you’ll say next.

I’m addressing all politicians, mine and others’. I’m not lecturing you; I say this as a supporter. Let me repeat: understand Khabeishvili’s position, he doesn’t speak English, he wandered around Lilo, he’s rough, understand that, man, not from above. I don’t want you to be in front, fellows, I don’t want you to be the strong ones, as long as we save this country. Understand the voice of a supporter. Probably 90% of the people think this way. Just because someone doesn’t tell you doesn’t mean the people don’t think so; everyone does. So please, the most meaningless broadcast is devastating for a person waiting for hope.

I’m on your side. Because I am on your side, I’m incarcerated here for half a year, and I haven’t been able to get a court hearing, yet I haven’t complained to anyone about anything. Either commit to doing something, or admit you can’t do anything. It doesn’t ‘break down’. How can they not see an alternative? Stop repeating this nonsense. What are you convincing yourselves of?

The intellectual backbone of this country stands on this side, yet you’re saying we didn’t show the people an alternative? How could we not show it? You’re the strongest, most likeable, and most open-minded, and you can handle everything in both international and domestic relations,” Khabeishvili stated.

According to Khabeishvili, in reality, his court hearing is not taking place, and this is happening deliberately.

“Today, the proceedings that took place are not my proceedings. Neither the previous nor the one before that was my court case. In fact, a hearing was scheduled for December 30, but it did not take place; there was no court hearing. They are attaching some nonsense to Murtaz in connection with my case, and this is happening deliberately. I am convinced that the judge also understands that my court proceedings, at most, take three to four hours, during which the prosecution’s witnesses will be questioned. Those whom the State Security Service has contacted, saying, ‘Bring forward witnesses who were offended by Levan Khabeishvili,’ are people who have humiliated me. Among these, three individuals have been summoned and appointed as witnesses. My court hearing is not happening; I come because I miss my loved ones. I come, and I go.

When these three men are brought in, and the judge begins the hearing at 10:00, it will be finished by 15:00. I am genuinely curious to see whether they will come and meet my gaze, look the court in the eye. They say they felt offended; no, they smashed bones in my face and cracked my skull, and now they’re claiming to be the offended ones. People, what’s unclear? I am simply asking for my court proceedings to take place.

Yesterday, I was watching as they froze activists’ accounts. They froze mine while I was in prison; they sent me a 9,000 lari fine through administrative procedures because, supposedly, Tsulukiani didn’t like something. First, they imprisoned me entirely; there’s no possibility of a court hearing, no witnesses are brought, and I spent half a year in prison with no phone, no contact with my children, no correspondence, nothing at all. Then, while I was still incarcerated, they imposed a freeze on 9,000 lari on my account. That means my family and loved ones are cut off. Some people still earn an 18,000-lari salary, and what’s the response?” Levan Khabeishvili stated.