“The October 4 rally was spontaneous and sincere. Many people attended because of its creative messages and the ‘mythological narrative’ surrounding the date. Over time, this day has accumulated numerous myths, particularly the exaggerated expectation that a high-ranking official might appear, which drew many people and ultimately led to disappointment,” Murtaz Zodelava, a member of the National Movement, said at today’s court hearing.

“The rally was absolutely peaceful, legal, addressed to the city hall, and entirely spontaneous. It was the only rally in the past 30 years without any organized elements. People came because of the messages and, at the same time, the mythological narrative surrounding the date,” Zodelava said.

He added that the event had been shaped by widely circulated myths, including unrealistic expectations that high-ranking officials might appear.

“These myths brought many people, and what happened afterwards led to disappointment,” he noted. Zodelava stressed that discussions of government change have historically accompanied protests in Georgia, and the October 4 rally was no exception.

“Everything was public. The date had accumulated many myths, and state propaganda even exploited some of them, sacrificing certain individuals, such as Bacho Akhalaia. As it was my first time at such a rally, my first time at the microphone, I called for relocation. Large crowds filled Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue, and the nearby Atoneli Square. From my perspective, I went to Atoneli Palace to take control of the third location,” he said.

Zodelava maintained that none of the myths about the event were true.

“No myth has been proven. The myth is a myth, and it has been dispelled. Yet we remain the accused. I feel a concrete human responsibility that forces me to think about others more than myself. This political drama has also become a social one, as many of the defendants are in difficult social situations,” he said.

Describing his actions during the rally, Zodelava said: “Yes, Irakli [Nadiradze] and I stepped over the administration fence. As an inexperienced protest leader, I did not fully understand what the fence represented. I went in because I felt it was my duty. About 70 people are now in prison, miserable and terrified. The only thing I could do was act according to my sense of responsibility. Can we investigate the motive behind why we came to Rustaveli?”