**Court Trial Sparks Concern**
Lado Abkhazava, a teacher and winner of the National Teacher’s Award, expressed his concerns before a court session in Kutaisi. He said that people should have a place to protest peacefully.
Abkhazava was supposed to be in class but had to go to court instead. He believes that ordinary people should have a chance to express their sincere protests without using bad language. However, he noted that even peaceful solidarity is being punished.
**Court Trial Begins**
A trial of nine individuals has started at the Kutaisi City Court. Judge Tsitsino Mosidze will lead the case. The accused include journalists and representatives from various fields. They are charged under Article 174-1 of the Administrative Offenses Code for participating in a peaceful gathering near a judge’s house on January 26.
**Those Involved**
The individuals issued with protocols include:
* Gela Mthivlishvili, a journalist who edits “Georgia’s News” and “Mountain’s News”
* Nino Katamadze, a musician and founder of the “Nino Katamadze Foundation”
* Vladimir Apkhazava, a teacher and first holder of the National Teacher’s Award
* Khvicha Vashakmadze, a journalist
* Ketevan Filauri and Maia Tsiramua, psychologists
* Irina Zarandia, a civil activist
* Givi Tsintsadze, a member of the Lanchkhuti City Council
* Eka Kuchalashvili, a journalist at “Kutaisi Post”
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