“I won’t repeat the words that Kobakhidze personally said about Chichinadze, targeting his family. He and Mdinadze have made numerous public statements. Doesn’t Kobakhidze know that he shouldn’t do this? But he does it to demonstrate that he has influence over you—this is pressure on the judge to deliver a guilty verdict!” stated Eka Beselia, the lawyer for actor Andro Chichinadze, addressing the judge during the court hearing.
Eka Beselia delivered her closing statement at today’s court session.
As she noted, this is the first time in 13 years that she is appearing in court as a lawyer. Beselia emphasized that “justice in the country is politicized.”
“I’ll begin with the words of Plato: ‘Truth has many supporters, but few defenders.’ Today, I want to speak to the defenders of truth.
At his own trial, Socrates addressed his student Plato: ‘Plato, you are young and think that the greatest misfortune is death, but I believe that shame is worse than death!’
During this case, I have felt shame many times—shame at how truth is being destroyed in the name of justice!
I address you on behalf of many people regarding the case of prisoners of conscience—truth is on their side, while the prosecution is lost in injustice.
After much thought, I decided to speak at this trial. Why did I think so much? Today, justice is politicized. The judiciary is fused with the legislative and executive branches. Today, the majority of judges lack freedom and independence, and apart from a few individual judges, we do not see freedom in their decisions. This reminds me of the years when the judiciary was completely subjugated, which is why I had to fight for its freedom for many years, even outside the courtroom!
This fight is not over, and I told myself I would only address a judge in court when their freedom was restored!
And what made me decide to address you after all these years? It was precisely because of these people that I changed the promise I made to myself!
These people are the main focus—they deserve for me to prioritize their interests above my own feelings or desires!” stated Eka Beselia.
She then focused on the case materials.
“It’s good that you’ve connected many good people and see how you’ve made them friends? But what they are ‘accused’ of needs to be proven, right? In this trial, your main strength, the lead investigator Arsen Khunashvili, was supposed to help you, but he couldn’t. In this process, he carries the burden as the lead investigator but cannot answer questions. So far, none of those brought here can answer who caused the injuries.
Moreover, you didn’t mention in the investigation that Andro Chichinadze was injured—a glass bottle hit him during the protest. This fact should be investigated. This is a significant problem for the prosecution, and it requires an answer,” stated Eka Beselia.
According to her, the investigation did not search Chichinadze’s home because they knew “there was nothing illegal.” Regarding the video evidence against the actor in the case, Beselia stated that the video does not confirm Chichinadze’s guilt; in fact, it shows insults coming from the police toward the protest participants.
“In this video, you see what a person acting in the name of the state—a police officer—should not do! They were swearing horribly. No matter how they raised or lowered their voices, you could hear someone threatening a girl with rape. This is the video material that the prosecution deemed favorable to their case.
[In that video], what heavy objects was Andro throwing? You can see a small stick that he brushed off himself. When you’re alone, look and see if it hit anyone.
Irakli Shaishmelashvili [a former senior official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs] said that the Ministry paid people in plain clothes to throw various objects at the police to provoke violence from the police—it was orchestrated!
This is not an ordinary statement from Shaishmelashvili. This is evidence.
Weren’t those unidentified people, whom the witnesses couldn’t name or recognize, the ones in plain clothes?” stated Eka Beselia.
According to her, proving organized crime and participation in it requires evidence, but in reality, the prosecution cannot substantiate it.
“We haven’t seen anything like this throughout this time,” stated Eka Beselia.
Additionally, Eka Beselia addressed the restrictions imposed on media coverage of court proceedings.
“A judge should feel that their justice is the voice of the people! The Justice Council should decide when to open or close a session—isn’t this unthinkable? This shows fear, and this law will definitely be changed,” stated Beselia.
In her closing statement, the lawyer also highlighted a statement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze regarding Andro Chichinadze.
“I won’t repeat the words that Kobakhidze personally said about Chichinadze, targeting his family. He and Mdinadze have made numerous public statements.
Doesn’t Kobakhidze know that he shouldn’t do this? But he knows that by doing so, he demonstrates his influence over you [the judge].
It is unacceptable for high-ranking officials to make statements in parallel with the trial. This is pressure on the judge to deliver a guilty verdict.
Who is Andro Chichinadze? He is a very intelligent young man. He has starred in films such as “Sokhumi”, “Shindisi”, “Junkers”, and “Changeable Signs”. Before his detention, he was planning to go to Kilimanjaro for a film shoot,” stated Eka Beselia.
For context, during the protest rallies near the Parliament, 11 individuals were detained on charges of participating in group violence.
The detained individuals – Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Guram Mirtskhulava, Valeri Tetrashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kerashvili, Revaz Kiknadze, and Sergei Kukharchuk – were charged under Article 225, Part 2 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to participation in group violence.
This offense carries a penalty of 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.
Eka Beselia to the judge: During the hearing of Andro Chichinadze’s case, I felt ashamed many times, seeing how the truth is being destroyed in the name of justice! – The truth is on the side of prisoners of conscience, while the prosecution’s side holds justice lost in injustice
