Protest leaders in Tbilisi refused to admit guilt

Despite their lawyers' requests, the court remanded five opposition members detained after a protest in Tbilisi into custody. All five denied charges of organizing group violence, calling for the overthrow of the government, and attempting to seize the presidential palace.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on October 6, five members of the protest organizing committee—Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze—were charged with attempting to seize the presidential palace, organizing group violence, and calling for the overthrow of the government. They face up to nine years in prison.

Today, Tbilisi City Court Judge Lela Maridashvili ordered pretrial detention for all five defendants: Paata Burchuladze, Murtaza Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze, Interpressnews reports.

Prosecutor Vazha Todua requested the arrest of the accused. He stated that there was a risk that the accused would abscond, commit "new crimes," and destroy evidence.

The lawyers disagreed with the prosecutor's position. They pointed to the political underpinnings of the case and filed motions to have the detainees released without pretrial detention.

In turn, all the accused informed the court that they do not consider themselves guilty of the crimes they are accused of, the publication writes.

As a reminder, on the evening of October 6, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the arrest of 13 people in connection with the events of October 4. Two more suspects are still wanted. The case is being investigated under articles of incitement to overthrow the government, seizure or blockade of a strategic or special facility (the presidential palace), organizing or participating in group violence, and intentional damage to property. One of the detainees, Vakho Pitskhelauri, told his lawyer that he was subjected to physical violence , insults, and threats during his arrest.

On October 4, the day of municipal elections, thousands of people gathered in central Tbilisi. After Paata Burchaladze declared that power in Georgia belongs to the people, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces near the presidential palace. Security forces used riot gear, while protesters used firecrackers. Six demonstrators and 21 security forces were hospitalized, and another 30 people received medical treatment on the spot. Police  opened a criminal investigation into calls to overthrow the government, attacks on police officers, and the storming of the palace.

The attempt to seize the presidential palace was doomed to failure and gave the current government a new opportunity to exert pressure on the opposition. Analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" indicated that a peaceful change of power remains only if the opposition overcomes its disunity.

On October 4, municipal elections were held in all municipalities of Georgia. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream party were elected mayors in all 64 cities where elections were held, receiving 100% of the vote in 26 of them. These elections will determine the political balance in Georgia for the coming years. The next major elections in the country are scheduled for 2028, making this vote crucial for both the government and the opposition, according to the Caucasian Knot report " Municipal Elections in Georgia, October 4, 2025. "

The "Caucasian Knot" is publishing materials about the recent municipal elections and protests by opposition supporters on the thematic page " Georgia: Elections amid Protests ."

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416101