Tbilisi City Court has ordered pre-trial detention for 44 out of 46 individuals arrested in connection with the October 4 election-day unrest, while granting bail to two others — including a prominent doctor who has since been released.
Prosecutor’s Office says as of October 11, a total of 48 people have been charged, including two in absentia, over their alleged involvement in the violent incidents. Within the past week, law enforcement detained 46 individuals — among them five organizers of the mass rally and dozens of protesters.
The rally organizers face charges related to an attempted coup and acts of violence, while most protesters are accused of participating in group violence and attempting to seize or blockade strategic facilities — crimes carrying prison terms of six to nine years under the Criminal Code of Georgia.
A series of hearings led by Tbilisi City Court judges Arsen Kalatozishvili, Pikria Sikturishvili, Lela Maridashvili, Mzia Garshaulishvili, Eka Barbakadze, and Nana Shamatava resulted in detention orders for 44 defendants.
Two detainees — Giorgi Chakhunashvili, a 71-year-old well-known doctor, and Ia Darakhvelidze, a creative director and musician — were released on bail. Chakhunashvili’s bail was set at GEL 20,000 (USD 7,500), while Darakhvelidze was released on GEL 10,000 (USD 3,700) after the court took into account her epilepsy diagnosis.
Violence erupted in downtown Tbilisi on October 4 after a group of protesters attempted to storm the presidential palace following calls from the organizers of the election-day rally. Police dispersed the crowd and pledged further arrests. Georgian Dream officials have characterized the unrest as a foreign-backed coup attempt, vowing a firm response.
Below are the lists of individuals sent to pre-trial detention, granted bail, and charged in absentia, along with the charges brought against them under the Criminal Code of Georgia.
Individuals Sent to Pre-Trial Detention:
(all face various charges under Articles 222², 225¹, 225², and 317 of the Criminal Code)
Rally Organizers:
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Paata Burchuladze – attempted seizure or blockade of strategic facilities; organizing and leading group violence; incitement to change the constitutional order through violence
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Murtaz Zodelava – same charges
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Irakli Nadiradze – same charges
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Paata Manjgaladze – organizing and leading group violence
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Lasha Beridze – attempted seizure of strategic facilities; organizing and leading group violence
Protesters and Activists:
Dozens of others, including Tornike Mchedlishvili, Eva Shashviashvili, Giorgi Rurua, Nika Gventsadze, Vladimer Gvelesiani, and Levan Jikia, face charges of participating in group violence and attempting to seize facilities of strategic or special importance.
Activist Nana Sanderi is charged with organizing group violence.
Individuals Granted Bail:
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Giorgi Chakhunashvili – GEL 20,000; participation in group violence, attempted seizure of a strategic facility
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Ia Darakhvelidze – GEL 10,000; participation in group violence
Individuals Charged in Absentia:
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Anton Uperi – participation in group violence; attempted seizure of a strategic facility
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Anton Vardanidze – participation in group violence; attempted seizure of a strategic facility
Header image: Sputnik
Related story: Doctor and academician Giorgi Chakhunashvili detained in connection with October 4 events
