Opposition leaders Murtaz Zodelava and Lasha Beridze released under plea agreements

Opposition figures Murtaz Zodelava and Lasha Beridze have been released from prison after a court approved plea agreements with the prosecution in connection with the October 4, 2025 unrest in Tbilisi.

The two men were released on Wednesday after serving the custodial portion of their revised sentences. Under the agreements approved by the Tbilisi Court of Appeals on October 28, both received sentences of three years and one month, including one year and one month in prison and two years suspended.

Zodelava and Beridze had originally been sentenced to seven years in prison each by Tbilisi City Court on charges related to the attempted seizure of strategically important facilities and the organisation and leadership of group violence. Zodelava also faced a charge of publicly calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order.

Speaking to journalists after his release, Zodelava said his actions surrounding the October 4 events had been motivated by what he considered to be the interests of his country.

“Everything I did, everything I undertook on October 4, whether before or after that date, was done, from my perspective, for my country and my homeland,” he said.

Addressing the plea agreement, Zodelava said the decision had not been his alone, adding that he had accepted responsibility and served his sentence.

He acknowledged that many questions remained surrounding the case but said he could not address all of them immediately. He indicated that he would provide further explanations at a later stage.

The plea agreements also cover two other individuals convicted in connection with the October 4 events. Irakli Chkhvirkia is due to be released on November 6, while Guri Zhvania is scheduled to leave prison on November 16.