On December 6th, 2024, Revaz Kiknadze, a 26-year-old translator and participant of pro-European rallies, was detained by representatives of the Central Criminal Police Department. He is accused of participating in group violence during protests held to demand repeat elections on November 25th. This arrest has become a symbol of the struggle young activists wage against perceived injustice and the erosion of democratic freedoms in Georgia.

Immediately after his detention, Kiknadze released a letter from the temporary detention isolator, alleging that the police were pressuring him to provide false testimony implicating opposition leaders. He declared a hunger strike in protest, stating:

While Kiknadze was not physically beaten during the initial arrest, he endured six hours of handcuffing, denial of restroom access, and threats of harm if he did not give false testimony. He was repeatedly threatened and asked to provide false testimony, with police officers demanding he state he was acting on the orders of opposition leaders in exchange for payment. Furthermore, after being taken to the Lisi Lake area, he was threatened with being buried on the spot if he did not comply with their demands. Guja Avsajanishvili, Kiknadze’s lawyer, emphasized that this treatment constituted psychological torture and a clear attempt to coerce a confession.

Avsajanishvili has also raised serious concerns about procedural violations. He alleges that the police deliberately delayed the provision of case materials, denying Kiknadze access to legal counsel during crucial stages of the investigation. Avsajanishvili detailed how he officially requested case materials on December 6th, but received no response. The investigator then promised delivery the next day, which did not occur. Kiknadze was charged without being informed of the specific charges against him beforehand. Avsajanishvili also highlighted the falsification of documents, specifically noting how a damaged disk containing evidence was presented, and then later, an official record was altered to indicate the disk was not damaged. He also detailed how prosecutors attempted to arrange a late night meeting to exchange materials, then proceeded to have Kiknadze sign for the materials without his lawyer present at 4:30 AM.

Avsajanishvili claims the case was built on fabricated evidence, highlighting the lack of connection between Kiknadze and the other defendants, whom he allegedly participated in "group violence" with, noting they had never met prior to court. He emphasized that individuals from different cities, and even a foreign national, were included in the same group violence charge without any evidence of prior coordination

Kiknadze’s defiance, including an 80-hour hunger strike immediately following his detention, and subsequent letters from the isolator, has garnered significant public support. His mother, Maia Lekishvili, also went on a hunger strike in solidarity, eventually convincing her son to end his. Kiknadze's messages, emphasizing his commitment to truth and justice, have resonated with many. He writes diary in prison which is available at Radio Free Liberty Web-page.

Kiknadze was charged under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, concerning the organization, leadership, or participation in group violence, which carries a potential sentence of 4-6 years.

Judge Ketevan Jachvadze of the Tbilisi City Court extended Kiknadze's pre-trial detention, along with 10 other defendants, until March. These defendants include actor Andro Chichinadze, comedian Onise Tskhadadze, Guram Mirtskhulava, Luka Jabua, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Giorgi Terashvili, Valeri Tetrashvili, Sergei Sivakov, and Irakli Kerashvili.

Defense lawyers requested release without pre-trial detention and offered bail, specifically offering 2000 lari, but the prosecution, led by prosecutor Vazha Todua, insisted on continued detention, citing the need for ongoing investigative measures.

Kiknadze vehemently denied the charges, emphasizing his lack of association with the other defendants, stating:

He also questioned the logic of charging people with 6 years of prison for throwing objects like paper or bottles. He made strong political statements within the court, referencing Mario Vargas Llosa’s “The Feast of the Goat” and quotes from Ilia Chavchavadze, which led to him being removed from the courtroom by Judge Lela Tsagareishvili.

An administrative case was also opened against Kiknadze, with allegations of violating Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, concerning assembly and demonstration rules, specifically alleging he held a stone during a protest on November 25th, two weeks before his criminal arrest. His lawyer has argued that this case is being used to strengthen the already weak criminal case and to paint Kiknadze as a repeat offender.

Avsajanishvili has accused Judge Lela Tsagareishvili of bias, citing her record of consistently ruling against pro-European activists in administrative cases and her inclusion in Estonia's sanctions list. He also alleged that the judge deliberately delayed the provision of evidence to the defense, including video evidence, hampering their ability to prepare for the trial. He detailed how he requested the materials on February 4th, received them the night before the hearing on February 5th, and was denied time to conduct an expert analysis of the video. He also pointed to the fact that Judge Tsagareishvili had ruled all administrative cases against other pro-European activists as guilty.

Despite the legal challenges and the extension of his pre-trial detention until March, Kiknadze remains defiant. He has continued to express his belief in the triumph of justice and has pledged to continue his fight for truth and democracy. He has stated that, “When I get out, I will run to you immediately and stand where I have always stood, that is, on the side of the people and the truth.”

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-European activists and the Georgian government. It raises serious questions about the fairness of the judicial process, the protection of civil liberties, and the potential for political persecution. His legal team expects to win the case at the European Court of Human Rights, citing the numerous procedural violations and the lack of evidence presented by the prosecution. The outcome of his case will have significant implications for the future of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Georgia.