The attorneys representing 8 individuals detained during the protests near Parliament, charged with organizing group violence, requested the recusal of Judge Irakli Khuskivadze. However, the judge did not accept the motion and did not recuse himself from the case.

The corresponding motion was raised by the attorney of the accused Vepkhia Kasradze, Kakha Kozhoridze, who argued that there is doubt about the judge's objectivity and impartiality.

According to Kozhoridze, the grounds for recusal may be based on circumstances that cast doubt on the judge's objectivity and impartiality.

The attorney explained that the court, with the current composition, imposed pretrial detention on the detainees without any argument or legal basis. Kozhoridze further questioned what led to the court's decision to impose detention on the detainees without legal justification, if there were no legal arguments.

Other attorneys agreed with Kozhoridze's motion. Shota Tutberidze stated that it would be better for another judge to consider the case, one on whom there would be no suspicion of having already made a decision in advance.

The prosecution disagreed with the motion, stating that it was unfounded.

Judge Irakli Khuskivadze explained why he did not recuse himself from the case. He clarified that the pretrial detention imposed on the accused had been upheld by a higher instance, and therefore, the fact that he had previously considered the detention could not be grounds for questioning his objectivity.

At this moment, the court session is ongoing regarding the case of Zviad Tskhveladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and six other individuals, all of whom are accused of organizing group violence during the protests near Parliament.

During today’s court session, the detention terms for the accused—Zviad Tskhveladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, Vasil Kazhelashvili, Giorgi Gorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—will be reconsidered.

For your information, three of the detainees—Zviad Tskhveladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kazhelashvili—are accused of organizing and leading group violence. They face sentences of 6 to 9 years in prison.

Five of the detainees—Giorgi Gorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—are accused of participating in group violence. They face sentences of 4 to 6 years in prison.