UNM’s Khabeishvili: We will not win unless we defeat fear within ourselves

“My personal decision is to ask my lawyers not to raise the issue of revision of my pre-detention at any stage, since I have nothing to beg the people, a pregnant woman or underage protesters who were poisoned by chemical weapons,” said Levan Khabeishvili, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) at his court process.

According to Kbabeishvili, he is prohibited from communicating with his family.

“I am banned from everything: communicating with my family, seeing my underage children. I am like a test rat. I want to tell my lawyer not to propose any amount to the court as bail. I do not plead guilty. Give me 20 minutes if the court is interested in my viewpoint. Criminal justice is an action, and you are accusing me of a political statement. I appealed to Special Task Force officers, who were committing illegal acts. I was also a victim of these officers; my bones were broken, but no investigation was launched into this. I called on them not to extort violence or harm anybody. There was a promise of reward when the government changed.

Every day is decisive. They ban us from standing on pavements, and a law is being adopted stipulating on making an application must be made one week in advance to hold a rally. This is a game. We have approximately 300 political prisoners and how can I imagine that they don’t have at least 10 supporters each? What makes you stay home, or do you have to drink cappuccino at night, and that is why you cannot stay overnight at the rally? Do I have to admit my guilt that I addressed Special Task Force officers? This is not a bribe; bribes should be sought among you. You dispute on unity. Why can’t you say that you are united? Concrete decisions should be made and you cannot take them – the release of political prisoners and new elections.

You are afraid and Ivanishvili’s regime will stand till there is fear. 100 thousand people should protest every day, then we will be victorious. You say we will win. We will not win until you defeat the fear within yourselves. Come to common sense and fight for the country. Find courage and tell youngsters to conclude procedure agreements with the court and leave jails. Stop telling so much nonsense from TV stations, come to your senses, otherwise Bidzina Ivanishvili has reached his goal, he will completely cover the country with a straw. Hold each other’s hands; a one-day protest is not the solution.

I support this process, which is linked to the country’s freedom and I support each individual who fights for this. Some are chatting, but you should stand with banners at particular locations and make statements from there. Instead of speaking about prisoners, mind your business and tell people what the solution is. We have nothing to dispute. It is impossible that only citizens like Aza Chalichava demonstrated heroism, while others walk dressed in suits and continue chatting. How can you suggest a political solution to people if you live in fear,” he said.