Eight protesters remain in custody on charges of organizing group violence

Judge Davit Mgelashvili has ruled that eight protesters accused of organizing group violence will remain in custody.

During today’s court session, the preventive measures imposed on the defendants were reviewed, but the judge upheld the pre-trial detention.

The defense attorneys had petitioned for their clients to be released without preventive measures, alternatively proposing bail amounts of 5,000 GEL, 10,000 GEL, and 30,000 GEL.

Among the detainees, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili are accused of organizing and leading group violence, which carries a potential prison sentence of 6 to 9 years. Meanwhile, Giorgi Gorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili are charged with participating in group violence, which is punishable by 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.