Fourteen additional demonstrators detained in connection with the so-called October 4 “peaceful overthrow” case have been released from custody after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors.
The hearings were held in two groups before Judges Nino Tarashvili and Dimitri Jinjolia.
The first group included Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhsashvili, Giorgi Muladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Temur Kurtsikidze, Vakhtang Pitskhelauri and Avtandil Surmanidze.
The second group consisted of Sergo Megrelishvili, Giorgi Rurua, Giorgi Korkia, Lasha Ivanadze, Levan Jikia and Khvicha Gogokhia.
As of June 10, a total of 22 defendants in the case have been released under plea agreements. Under the terms of the agreements, the defendants admitted guilt and received three-year suspended sentences.
On June 9, eight other defendants were released under similar agreements: Aleksandre Gogoladze, Gocha Katashvili, Sulkhan Ambalava, Ramaz Jorbenadze, Janri Tirkia, Genadi Kekhilashvili, Davit Ghurtskaya and Eva Shashviashvili.
Under Georgian law, a plea agreement may be initiated by either the defendant or the prosecutor.
The October 4 case is being heard by five different judges. Prosecutors describe the case as an attempt to overthrow the constitutional order, while the defendants maintain that they were participating in an effort to bring about a “peaceful revolution.”
A total of 65 individuals have been charged in the case. Prosecutors divided the defendants into five groups, each consisting of between 10 and 15 people.
The defendants face charges including attempting to seize and block strategic and specially protected facilities, as well as participating in group violence. The offenses carry a maximum sentence of up to six years in prison.
The criminal proceedings stem from events that unfolded during a protest rally held in Tbilisi’s Liberty Square on October 4. On that day, much of the opposition and its supporters boycotted local elections and gathered in the capital, calling for the “peaceful overthrow” of the government.
The case centers on clashes that erupted after a group of demonstrators attempted to “take possession of the keys to the presidential palace,” breaching security barriers around the presidential residence on Atoneli Street and confronting special police forces.
Image source: Tabula
