President Zourabichvili Announces Free Legal Aid for Protesters Amid Rising Tensions in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, December 27, 2024
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has unveiled a new initiative to provide free legal assistance to citizens, particularly those involved in ongoing protests against the government.
The president introduced a group of lawyers, coordinated by Eka Beselia, founder of the House of Justice, who will offer pro legal services to those in need. Zourabichvili emphasized the urgency of this support, stating that citizens require "daily and minute-by-minute protection."
Zourabichvili expressed deep concern for demonstrators, especially young people who have been regularly taking to the streets. She highlighted the plight of those imprisoned, describing their conditions as 'very difficult'. The president also addressed a recent incident near the Orbeliani Palace, where a participant in a women's march was reportedly attacked.
Despite the current challenges, Zourabichvili expressed confidence that detained protesters would be released soon. She stated, "I am sure that they will be released very quickly, because this regime will have no other way very soon."
The president framed the creation of this legal aid group as a crucial step in building a "real Georgian, free society." She praised the initiative as an expression of strong civic engagement, viewing it as a source of hope for the country's future. Zourabichvili emphasized that a well-established society with principled citizens cannot be challenged by any regime, suggesting that such a society will ultimately prevail.
