The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged 13 additional individuals with attempted group seizure of a facility of strategic and special importance, organization of group violence, and participation in such acts.
At a briefing held at the Prosecutor’s Office, officials said the charges relate to the events of October 4. Investigators determined that Vladimer Gvelesiani, Nika Gventsadze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Gocha Katashvili, Guriel Kardava, Zurab Chavchanidze, Konstantine Kokaia, Sulkhan Abralava, Beka Kelekhsashvili, and Giorgi Kirvalidze, alongside other individuals, responded to calls from already detained organizers of group violence. They attacked the protective fence of the Presidential Palace, broke into the yard, and attempted to seize the strategic facility.
During the assault, the defendants threw iron structures and other objects at law enforcement officers, physically and verbally abused them, and endangered their lives. Additionally, Koba Epitashvili physically assaulted a police officer, and Saba Kordzaia threw a “Molotov cocktail” at officers deployed to restore order.
The investigation also identified Nana Sander as another organizer of the violence. Authorities say she actively coordinated the attacks via social media, provided funds for equipment and clothing, and instructed participants on confronting law enforcement. She also demanded the release of detainees and the evacuation of state institutions, explicitly calling for violent reprisals against officers on October 4.
Law enforcement officers arrested the defendants on October 7 and 8 following a judge’s ruling.
Koba Epitashvili and Saba Kordzaia have been charged under Article 225, Part 2 (participation in group violence) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries a maximum sentence of six years. Vladimer Gvelesiani, Nika Gventsadze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Gocha Katashvili, Guriel Kardava, Zurab Chavchanidze, Konstantine Kokaia, Sulkhan Abralava, Beka Kelekhsashvili, and Giorgi Kirvalidze face charges under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” (attempted seizure of a facility of strategic importance by a group) and Article 225, Part 2, also punishable by up to six years in prison. Nana Sander has been charged under Article 225, Part 1 (organization of group violence), carrying a maximum sentence of nine years. The Prosecutor’s Office will request pre-trial detention for all 13 defendants.
Previously, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze were accused of organizing and leading the violence, attempting to seize a strategic facility, and calling for the overthrow of the government. The Tbilisi City Court has placed them in pre-trial detention.
“The ongoing investigation has also led to the detention of 13 more individuals. All have been sent to pre-trial detention,” the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.
Related story: Clashes in Tbilisi: Dozens detained as investigation into October 4 unrest continues
