The Prosecutor’s Office has charged five individuals in connection with the October 4 unrest in Tbilisi, accusing them of organizing and leading group violence, attempting to seize a strategic facility, calling for the overthrow of the government, and seeking to violently change Georgia’s constitutional order. The charges carry penalties of up to nine years in prison.
Those charged include Rustaveli Avenue movement leaders Paata Burchuladze and Murtaz Zodelava, National Movement member Irakli Nadiradze, Strategy Builder leader Paata Manjgaladze, and Colonel Lasha Beridze.
Investigators, Burchuladze, Zodelava and Nadiradze made public appeals ahead of the elections, urging citizens to join a “revolution” and overthrow the government by force. On election day, the five and their supporters allegedly organized violent actions, calling on protesters gathered in Freedom Square to march on the Presidential Administration.
The Prosecutor’s Office says demonstrators, led by the accused, destroyed public and private property around Orbeliani Square, set fires, built barricades, and clashed with police. Upon reaching the Presidential Administration — classified as a strategic facility — the group allegedly broke through the protective fence and assaulted law enforcement with stones and heavy objects before being detained.
Charges filed include:
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Burchuladze, Zodelava, Nadiradze: Attempted seizure of a strategic facility (Art. 19-222), organizing group violence (Art. 225), and incitement to violently overthrow the constitutional order (Art. 317).
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Beridze: Attempted seizure of a strategic facility (Art. 19-222) and organizing group violence (Art. 225).
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Manjgaladze: Organization of group violence (Art. 225).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues its investigation to identify additional suspects.
In its statement, the Prosecutor’s Office thanked the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service, and the Special State Protection Service for their “high-standard” operations on October 4.
