According to Mtskheta Regional Court ruling, 17 defendants involved in the case of footballer Giorgi Shakarashvili's death will remain in preliminary detention on a preclusion basis.

Due to the involvement of several underage defendants, the court hearing was held in the closed-door regime. The Prosecutor's Office demanded preliminary detention which was fully approved by the court.

Certain representatives of some of the defendants requested the release of the detained individuals without pre-trial custody while others demanded the bail.The Prosecutor's Office indicted the 17 persons for several offenses including: committing group violence against 2 or more individuals; organizing group violence; participating in group violence; and illegally depriving someone else's liberty.

For the record, on 19 June, at about 11:00 o'clock, the family notified the MIA that Giorgi Shakarashvili was missing. The Police alongside with the rescue services had started searching process. As a result of a 4-days long search, the divers have found Giorgi Shakarashvili's body in water. Police arrested 17 persons in connection with the murder of Giorgi Shakarashvili on 26 June.