Seven defendants in October 4 protest case to be released under plea agreement

Seven people charged in connection with an incident outside the presidential residence on Atoneli Street during the 4 October protests are set to be released after reaching plea agreements with prosecutors.

The agreements are expected to be approved by the court in the coming days. Under the terms of the deal, the defendants will receive suspended sentences and be released from custody directly from the courtroom.

Those expected to be released are Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhashvili, Giorgi Mumladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Avtandil Surmanidze and Temur Kurtsikidze.

The seven are among 12 defendants charged in relation to the episode.

Speaking after a court hearing, prosecutor Lasha Tskvitaria said the defendants had admitted the charges against them and expressed remorse for their actions.

According to Tskvitaria, the prosecution agreed to plea deals after seven of the 12 defendants acknowledged their involvement in the offences. He said each of them would receive a three-year suspended sentence.

The prosecutor added that the alleged offences were documented in video evidence included in the case file.

Proceedings continue for the remaining defendants.