**Georgia’s Opposition Leader Spends Time in Prison, but Refuses to Give Up**
Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” has written a letter from prison that gives a glimpse into the state of mind of many Georgians. Despite being behind bars, Melia remains defiant and optimistic about the country’s future.
In his letter, published on his Facebook page, Melia writes that it feels like a “dreamlike state” in Rustavi prison, where almost everyone is incarcerated. He even jokes about another prisoner, Guram Absandze, digging a secret tunnel to take them all on a new adventure. This lighthearted tone belies the seriousness of the situation and Melia’s determination to continue fighting for freedom.
**The Regime’s Tactics**
Melia says that the regime’s goal is to make people feel helpless and paralyze their courage. However, he believes that this will not work because the opposition has the power of truth on its side. He argues that the regime will ultimately disintegrate like a chemical compound in a test tube.
In his letter, Melia also addresses a specific threat made by the regime: if the parliament isn’t recognized, everyone will end up in prison. However, he dismisses this as a delusion and claims that Georgia will never belong to Bidzina or the Russians. The opposition leader asserts that many Georgians have already breathed in the air of freedom and mentally left the Soviet Union behind.
**A Message of Hope**
The letter concludes with greetings to fellow prisoners and a message of hope to everyone else. Melia encourages people to stay strong and reminds them that they are not alone. He also sends out a shout-out to his neighbors on the prison floor, as well as to other prisoners of conscience in other prisons.
Melia’s letter is a testament to the resilience and determination of Georgian opposition leaders like him. Despite facing imprisonment and repression, they continue to fight for freedom and democracy. Their bravery and optimism serve as an inspiration to others and demonstrate that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.
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