**Heavy Police Presence Outside Tbilisi Court Ahead of Pretrial Hearing**
The streets outside the Tbilisi City Court are bustling with police officers, as a large number of them have been mobilized to guard both entrances of the court. This significant show of force has led many to believe that the arrest of Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, a member of the Coalition for Change, is imminent.
**Rally in Support of Japaridze Planned**
A rally is scheduled to take place outside the court at 2:00 PM in support of Japaridze. However, it’s unlikely that supporters will be allowed into the court’s courtyard, given the heavy police presence. The mobilization has been interpreted by Japaridze himself as evidence that his arrest is being planned.
**Japaridze Speaks Out**
In a statement, Japaridze expressed his concerns about the situation, stating that the heavy police presence indicates they are planning something. He believes that the authorities have cornered themselves and must either drop the preventive measure or go for a harsher option – which in this case would be imprisonment.
**Worries About Impending Arrest**
Japaridze’s words carry weight, given his track record with similar cases. He has repeatedly requested that the preventive measure be dropped, but to no avail. The Minister of Justice, Tsulukiani, was summoned several times, but Japaridze claims their request never reached her due to obstruction at the court level.
**Fear for Others**
Japaridze’s statements also raised fears not just for himself, but for others who have been critical of the government. He mentioned Irakli Okruashvili, Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, and Giorgi Vashadze as potential targets. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the authorities are ready to take this step towards authoritarianism.
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