UNM’s Murtaz Zodelava rules out leaving Georgia but states he no longer sees himself in politics

Murtaz Zodelava and Lasha Beridze, convicted in connection with the October 4 unrest, have been released from prison following a plea bargain agreement.

Speaking to reporters upon his release, Zodelava stated that he has no intention of leaving Georgia, though he no longer sees a future for himself in politics. He also wished freedom to all those still serving sentences in connection with the case.

“I accepted responsibility for October 4 and served my sentence. Many questions have accumulated, but I physically cannot answer them all, as our society has always had plenty of conspiracy theorists. I urged those detained alongside me to take advantage of a plea bargain at almost every court hearing. It is not easy when you issue a call to action, and dozens of people end up in prison; that is a heavy burden of responsibility that I still feel today. That is why I urged them to do so, and I am glad the majority took this opportunity. I have no political plans for many reasons. I turned 50 in prison; I am no longer a child. A person undergoes a reappraisal of values, and I simply do not see myself in politics, which is entirely unrelated to the plea deal. I am a citizen of Georgia; I have no intention of leaving anywhere, and I remain a natural part of my nation, but I do not see myself in politics. When the plea agreement was finalised, I acknowledged that I was one of the organisers,” Zodelava said.

According to the Tbilisi City Court ruling, Murtaz Zodelava and Lasha Beridze had originally been sentenced to seven years in prison each.

Plea agreements were finalised for Zodelava, Beridze, and several other defendants on October 28.