Seven defendants charged in connection with the October 4 events near the Orbeliani Presidential Residence are expected to be released after reaching plea agreements with the prosecution.
Speaking to journalists, prosecutor Lasha Tsqvitaria said the defendants admitted guilt and expressed remorse for the actions they were charged with, prompting the state prosecution to offer plea agreements.
Under the agreements, the defendants will receive three-year suspended sentences and will be released directly from the courtroom once the court approves the deals, which is expected to happen within the coming days.
The individuals covered by the plea agreements are Alexander Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhashvili, Giorgi Mumladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Avtandil Surmanidze, and Temur Kurtsikidze.
Tsqvitaria claimed that several other defendants in related proceedings have also applied for plea agreements, and the prosecution intends to satisfy those requests as well. Defense lawyers will be notified gradually as the process continues.
The prosecutor noted that the examination of evidence in the so-called “attempted seizure of the presidential residence” case has been completed and proceedings have moved to the closing arguments stage. He said that of the 12 defendants originally involved in this particular case, five had initially requested plea agreements, while two more submitted similar requests before the latest hearing.
Tsqvitaria stated that the defendants acknowledged the factual circumstances of the charges and expressed remorse. Prosecution says video evidence examined during the trial confirms their participation in the actions carried out near the presidential residence.
At the next hearing, the prosecution plans to request that the proceedings concerning the seven defendants be separated into an independent case and transferred to another judge for approval of the plea agreements. The process is expected to be completed within the next week.
The seven defendants were charged with attempted seizure and blocking of facilities of strategic or special importance committed by a group, as well as participation in group violence.
Several defendants remain outside the plea agreement process. These include Vakhtang Fitzkelauri, Abo Naverian, Anton Uper, Nana Sander, and Mariam Mekantsishvili.
Mekantsishvili is charged with organizing group actions, while Sander faces charges including organizing group violence and publicly calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, offenses that carry penalties of up to nine years in prison. Fitzkelauri, Naverian, and Uper continue to face charges related to attempted seizure and blocking of strategic facilities and participation in group violence.
The criminal case stems from events that took place on October 4 near the Orbeliani Presidential Residence in Tbilisi. Prosecutors allege that participants attempted to block and seize a facility of strategic importance during a protest action. The defendants have denied the accusations throughout much of the proceedings, while rights groups and opposition figures have closely monitored the case, arguing that the charges carry significant political implications.
The case is one of several criminal proceedings launched in connection with anti-government protests and demonstrations held in Georgia over the past year.
Image source: GHN
