Protests in Georgia: Detained organisers face up to nine years in prison UPDATED

The detained organisers of the protest in Tbilisi — Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Mandjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze — face up to nine years in prison on charges of calling for the violent overthrow of Georgia’s constitutional order and government, as well as organising, leading, and participating in acts of group violence.

According to Sputnik Georgia, citing a statement from the Georgian Interior Ministry, evidence gathered by law enforcement and video footage published by various media outlets established that the organisers made violent statements during the protest on Freedom Square.

“The Interior Ministry repeatedly urged participants to remain calm and not to act outside the bounds of the law. However, after the calls for violence during the rally, several participants and organisers broke through the fence of the Presidential Palace on Atoneli Street and attempted to seize the building,” the statement said.

The investigation is being conducted under Articles 317, 222, 225, and 187 of the Georgian Criminal Code: “Calls for the violent change of the constitutional order or overthrow of the government,” “Assault or blockade of a strategically or specially protected facility,” “Destruction or damage to property,” and “Organization, leadership, or participation in group violence.”

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The Georgian police have detained five organisers of the protest rally that took place on the evening of October 4 near the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi.

According to Sputnik Georgia, the statement was made by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze.

Among those detained are public figure Paata Burchuladze, member of the United National Movement Irakli Nadiradze, former prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, representative of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party Paata Manjgaladze, and Colonel Lasha Beridze.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protesters attempted to enter the presidential administration building, declaring the “transfer of power to the people.” To prevent the attempted break-in, law enforcement officers used special means and water cannons. Fourteen police officers were injured during the clashes.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has opened a criminal case against the participants and organisers of the protest for the attempted storming of the presidential administration building in Tbilisi under several articles, including assault on a police officer, incitement to change or overthrow the government, property damage, organisation or participation in group violence, and attempted storming or blockade of a strategic facility.

By Vugar Khalilov