Eight defendants charged in connection with the October 4 events were released directly from the courtroom after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors.
Judge Jvebe Nachkebia ordered the release of Aleksandre Gogoladze, Gocha Katashvili, Sulkhan Abralava, Davit Ghurtskaya, Genadi Kelikhashvili, Ramaz Jorbenadze, Jandri Tirkia and Eva Shashiashvili.
Shashiashvili had previously been released on bail and left detention on December 31, 2025, while the remaining defendants were released after spending eight months in custody.
“We have reached plea agreements with all eight defendants,” prosecutor Roin Khintibidze told the court before their release.
Under the agreements, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and received three-year suspended sentences.
The prosecution had accused them of participating in group violence under Article 225(2) of the Criminal Code and attempting, as part of a group, to seize or block a strategic and specially important facility under Articles 19 and 222.
The same proceedings also involved six other defendants — Davit Zhghenti, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, Konstantine Kokaia, Gogi Chakhunashvili, Ia Darakhvelidze and Davit Sturua. They either refused to admit guilt, rejected plea agreements, or failed to reach agreements with prosecutors. Their verdicts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks by Judge Giorgi Gelashvili.
Earlier on Monday, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili separated the cases of another seven defendants who are also expected to conclude plea agreements. They include Guriel Kardava, Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhashvili, Mamuka Labuchidze, Giorgi Muladze, Avtandil Surmanidze and Temur Kurtsikidze.
On June 8, six additional defendants — Khvicha Gogokhia, Giorgi Korkia, Levan Jikia, Giorgi Rurua, Lasha Ivanadze and Sergo Megrelishvili — also agreed to plea deals and will be released once the court formally approves the agreements.
A total of 64 people were charged in connection with the October 4 case. Two remain at large, including former senior Special Tasks Department official Irakli Shaishmelashvili and Anton Uperi.
The case was divided into five groups. On May 7, a court delivered verdicts against members of what prosecutors described as the “organizers’ group.” Five defendants — Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Lasha Beridze and Paata Manjgaladze — were sentenced to seven years in prison. Irakli Shaishmelashvili received a two-year sentence in absentia, while Irakli Chkhvirkia, Tornike Mchedlishvili, Nika Gventsadze and Guri Zhvania were each sentenced to five years in prison.
The defendants were accused of various offenses, including organizing and participating in group violence, attempting to seize the Orbeliani Presidential Residence, and publicly calling for the overthrow of the constitutional order and government.
Image source: on.ge
