Judge keeps all eight protesters in custody amid courtroom chaos

Judge Irakli Khuskivadze has ruled to keep eight protesters detained during recent demonstrations in custody, sparking further outrage among their families and supporters.

The detained individuals include Vepkhia Kasradze, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vasil Kadzelashvili, Giorgi Giorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili.

Before delivering his decision, Judge Khuskivadze appointed state-funded lawyers for the defendants after their privately hired attorneys, along with family members and supporters, walked out of the courtroom in protest. The walkout followed the judge’s refusal to move the trial to a larger courtroom, despite complaints about overcrowding. The courtroom disruption escalated as relatives of the detainees were forcibly removed from the premises.

The prosecution has accused Kasradze, Tsetskhladze, and Kadzelashvili of organizing and leading group violence, charges that carry a potential prison sentence of 6 to 9 years. Meanwhile, the other five detainees face charges of participating in group violence, which could result in 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.