Prosecutor’s Office charges 13 more over attempted seizure of presidential administration

Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office has brought charges against 13 additional individuals in connection with the October 4 events in Tbilisi, where “protesters attempted to seize the Presidential Administration building.”

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the accused face charges of attempting to seize a strategic and special-purpose facility as part of a group, as well as organising and participating in group violence.

Investigators alleged that Vladimir Gvelesiani, Nika Gventsadze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Gocha Katashvili, Guriel Kardava, Zurab Chavchanidze, Konstantine Kokaia, Sulkhan Abralava, Beka Kelekhsashvili, and Giorgi Kirvalidze, acting on instructions from already detained organisers, had launched an attack on the Presidential Administration. The suspects 

‘damaged the protective fence, entered the courtyard, and used physical force and metal objects against police officers defending the site.”

Two other defendants, Koba Epitashvili and Saba Kordzaia, have been accused of assaulting police officers during the clashes - Epitashvili “inflicted physical harm, while Kordzaia had thrown a Molotov cocktail toward law enforcement officers.”

The investigation also identified another suspect, Nana Sander, as one of the organisers of the violence. According to prosecutors, Sander used social media to incite violent acts, coordinate participants, and raised funds for equipment used during the unrest. She allegedly called for the release of detained or convicted individuals and urged supporters to carry out “brutal retaliation” against law enforcement if her demands were not met.

The arrests were made on 7 and 8 October under judicial warrants.

Koba Epitashvili and Saba Kordzaia have been charged under Article 225, Part 2 (participation in group violence), which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison.

Vladimir Gvelesiani, Nika Gventsadze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Gocha Katashvili, Guriel Kardava, Zurab Chavchanidze, Konstantine Kokaia, Sulkhan Abralava, Beka Kelekhsashvili, and Giorgi Kirvalidze were charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a) (attempted seizure of a strategic facility by a group) and Article 225, Part 2, both punishable by up to six years in prison.

Nana Sander faces charges under Article 225, Part 1 (organising group violence), which carries a penalty of up to nine years’ imprisonment.

Prosecutors said they will request pre-trial detention for all newly charged individuals.

According to the statement, the case also involves previously detained organisers - Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze - who have already been remanded in custody on charges of organising group violence, attempting to seize a strategic facility, incitement to overthrow the constitutional order, and calls to overthrow the government by force.

An additional 13 defendants in the same case have already been charged and are currently under pre-trial detention.