Ana Natsvlishvili, a member of the oppositional Lelo party, stands as a guarantor for the youths, 19-year-old Omar Okribelashvili and 23-year-old Saba Meparishvili, who were arrested for damaging the dam during the protest against the Russian Law. At a briefing held in parliament, the MP stated that their imprisonment until the verdict is rendered is unjustified.
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"I would like to respond to the unprecedented case of injustice that the Georgian Dream court is conducting against the two citizens of Georgia who, along with thousands of fellow citizens, defended Georgia's European future from the Russian Law and the government's Russian policy. The government promises these people that, as the prosecutor's office states, for the damage of a 400 GEL temporary iron structure, they will be sent to prison for many years.
It is absolutely incredible to me that these young men, who have not even been formally charged, have been in detention for several months. Today, I, MP Ana Natsvlishvili, declare that I am ready to be a personal guarantor that these young people will not hide from the investigation and will cooperate with the court," said Natsvlishvili.
Yesterday, July 24, at the trial held in the Tbilisi City Court, the defense once again requested the release of Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili on bail. This time, the lawyer submitted a statement that 400 GEL was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to compensate for the damage. Despite this, Judge Natia Gudadze left the defendants in custody.
Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili were arrested on May 16. Based on the indictment, on May 14, during a protest near the Parliament building, they damaged the barrier of the metal structure belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs using both physical force and a metal tool, causing significant material damage amounting to 400 GEL. Of this, the actual damage amounts to 250 GEL, and 150 GEL is the cost of the craft.
The detainees have been charged under Article 187, Part 2, Sub-paragraph c of the Criminal Code, which refers to group damage to property. If the crime is proven, they face 3 to 6 years of imprisonment.
The next trial in the case will be held on August 30.
