For the first time since my detention, I have the opportunity to address you. “Georgian Dream” has always been irritated by the phrase “peaceful overthrow.” The reason for our prosecution is precisely this. They want to portray this phrase as an act of violence, and today I want to tell you, Your Honor, that a peaceful overthrow did take place on October 4. It took place very successfully, at the National Assembly held on Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue.

Everyone knows very well that there was no violence whatsoever, and that the citizens of Georgia unanimously exercised their will and peacefully overthrew the unlawful government – the illegitimate regime of a Russian oligarch. As for what happened at the Atoneli residence, I ask you to direct that question to the so‑called government.

Have you noticed that whenever the events of October 4 are discussed, the so‑called authorities talk only about the “failed revolution” near the Atoneli Palace, and never once mention what happened on Freedom Square or across Rustaveli Avenue? That is because our gathering of hundreds of thousands of people marked the absolute collapse of the dictatorship (“Georgian Dream”), and they failed to stage any provocation there. No one can claim that there were calls for violence. On October 4, we were all invited to the National Assembly. This was announced on television and written on the invitations, which bore my signature.

My life and career are public. Everyone knows my civic stance, my work, and my artistic journey. My entire life has been dedicated to serving my country through the stage, charity work, and public activity. Yet today I am faced with absurd accusations, as if I were calling for violence. It is obvious why this is being done  “Georgian Dream” is trying to label patriotism as a crime, while portraying their own behavior – betrayal of the homeland as heroism.

On October 4, for the first time in Georgia’s history, a National Assembly was convened thanks to the Georgian people. It was a gathering where His Majesty, the Georgian people, expressed their will to defend the Constitution. On October 4, an unprecedented number – more than 250,000 people – were present on Rustaveli Avenue. Representatives came not only from cities and districts, but from nearly every village, including Abkhazia (Gali district) and Samachablo. Many emigrants returned to Georgia specifically for this day. All ethnic minority groups living in Georgia were represented.

Many of you were disappointed that we did not fully achieve our goal — myself included. We know the kind of provocation that took place near the Atoneli residence. Today, I cannot speak precisely about the events, because since my detention I have been cut off from the outside world and deprived of full information. But the time for establishing the truth will soon come. Nevertheless, we can all be proud of what we accomplished — our unity, our enthusiasm, and our patriotism.

We, the Georgian people, managed to do what the oligarchic gang could not and never will — even if they spend all seven billion dollars. Remember: after the National Assembly on October 4, it is no longer we who are fighting an illegitimate government – it is the usurper’s gang that is fighting the Georgian people who hold legitimate authority.

Declaration:
“We, the citizens of Georgia, gathered at the National Assembly, declare: Our homeland has been seized. The so‑called government has lost the trust of the people; state institutions no longer reflect the will of the Georgian people. The Constitution of Georgia states that the source of state authority is the people. Today, the people reclaim their power from the usurper in order to protect peace, security, and national interests. The informal rule of the Russian oligarch (Bidzina Ivanishvili) has created a real threat to Georgia’s sovereignty and to every citizen. Based on all the above, we place the following three issues on a vote:

  1. The National Assembly declares that all power belongs to the Georgian people.
  2. The National Assembly declares that after the rigged elections of October 26 and their international non-recognition, the so‑called government has constitutionally lost its legitimacy; therefore, its authority is terminated.
  3. The National Assembly declares a peaceful transitional period that will ensure the peaceful transfer of power into the hands of the people, the liberation of democratic institutions, the immediate resumption of dialogue for EU accession, and the protection of the country’s security and peace.”

It is the traitors who must answer for their actions, not the innocent people — including the young people — whom they abduct from the streets, homes, and families. They serve evil from the shadows, through persecution, intimidation, and coercion. The list of these criminals is what was read from the stage that day, and that is why we ended up in prison. But rest assured  these criminals will be held accountable before the law and the Georgian people.

The plan of the Georgian people was to hold a peaceful rally on Atoneli Street as well — involving delegates of the Assembly, and very likely law enforcement officers too. A large number of people would have demanded the handover of the keys to the President’s Palace, which would have taken place peacefully, had it not been for the provocation orchestrated by “Georgian Dream” against the Georgian people. As a result, many innocent citizens have been detained.

My support goes to all political prisoners. Their immediate release is essential.
My speech on October 4 contained no trace of violence or calls for violence. The proof is that we were all there with our children and grandchildren. Everything we did served only peaceful expression – our constitutional right. My goal then, and now, is to establish democratic governance in Georgia, ensure a change of government, and return to the people the rights and powers that have been stolen from them.

October 4 was not a day of failure it was a day of unity, a day when society peacefully and legitimately reclaimed power. A day of standing together in hardship. A victory of good over evil.

Notice something strange – for the first time in protest history, no one has seen complete drone footage of how many people attended the National Assembly. The peak attendance was around 19:00, when about 250,000 people were present. More continued to join afterward. As we all know, the drones mysteriously “disappeared.” Naturally, the security services shot down three drones belonging to media outlets: Netgazeti, Project 64, and “Mautskhebeli.” Only one was recovered, with its memory card removed. “Radio Liberty” published an objective article about this, and it would be good for the public to read it.

The goal of the usurping party was to prevent us from seeing the real picture from seeing each other because we were so many. This was the maximum the junta could do to obstruct the National Assembly. They also disrupted navigation systems  Rustaveli Avenue was showing up as Tbilisi Airport and vice versa. This was likely not only an attempt to prevent the gathering but also a diversion endangering national security, which must be investigated in the future. There were more people in the streets that day than participated in the Russian‑style “elections.” October 4 proved to us that we are the overwhelming majority, and we see our strength – Georgia’s strength.

Strength lies in the people – in free citizens not in weapons, batons, or pepper spray.
On this day, the illegitimacy of the so‑called government was sealed by the Georgian people, the source of authority. October 4 will go down in Georgian history not as “Georgian Dream’s election day,” but as the real day of their defeat.

Some sold‑out or foolish politicians try to belittle this day. But we saw that we have countless patriots, countless people with burning hearts. Unfortunately, we also have plenty of traitors. I ask everyone who participated: whenever the oligarch’s servants refer to the Atoneli provocation as a “failed revolution,” always remind them that the main event of the day took place on Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square where the Georgian people removed the ruling party from power and confronted their illegitimacy.

I repeat: before October 4, we were protesting their illegitimacy, cruelty, and lawlessness. After the National Assembly, it is now the criminal group sustained only by the violent faction of the police that is fighting against the legitimate power of the people.

October 4 was not just a rally it was the National Assembly of Georgia, and everyone who participated in this historic event should be proud. Georgia’s voice was heard clearly: freedom is Georgia’s choice, and freedom is Georgia’s destiny.

Finally: among the rights trampled by the illegitimate government, I must add the right to a fair trial. I will not burden you with explaining why you know it much better than I do. I simply wish to tell you, Your Honor, that I understand your situation, and I forgive you.

My fellow fighters, my fellow Georgians – I am proud to be one of you.

On November 28, and whenever necessary all of us on Rustaveli; the struggle for our country’s freedom to the very end.