The prosecutor in the case of the detained Paata Burchuladze, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, Lasha Beridze, and Murtaz Zodelava, Vaja Todua, stated that evidence confirms this was not spontaneous — the violent actions were organized. According to him, the defendants had publicly declared through the media that there was a plan, which they would announce, begin, and end on October 4.

As Todua explained in the presented motion, multiple pieces of evidence have been obtained against the accused.

“A body of evidence has been presented showing that they made public calls inciting citizens hostile toward the government to participate in violent acts with the aim of overthrowing state authority. They were calling for a revolution and declared that they would overthrow the government together. They appealed to a wide audience to rise against the authorities. On October 4, the day of the local self-government elections, all five of them declared through the media that they were the organizers. Following Paata Burchuladze’s call for criminal actions, Murtaz Zodelava instructed the public not to obey the police. At Orbeliani Square, they deliberately damaged both municipal and private property using various objects. After the organizers and participants of the criminal acts entered the courtyard of the building, they verbally and physically assaulted police officers, throwing stones and other objects.

Evidence confirming these factual circumstances has been presented.

The evidence proves that this was not spontaneous — the violent actions were organized. They publicly declared through the media that there was a plan, which they would announce, start on October 4, and end on October 4.

Paata Manjgaladze, together with Murtaz Zodelava, stated in one of the broadcasts that they indeed had a plan they would announce during the rally.

A video has also been presented in which they claim to be the organizers of the rally. The footage shows how the organizers of the criminal actions move toward the Presidential Palace and how they entered the area.

After these actions, Murtaz Zodelava actively called on the public to continue such acts in the following days. When asked by a journalist, Zodelava replied that the [intrusion] was part of their plan for a swift victory and that they personally set an example for citizens on how to act.

An expert conclusion has also been submitted, establishing the damage caused by the violent acts,” Todua said.

He requested that imprisonment be used as a preventive measure against all five individuals, explaining that there is a risk of flight, committing a new offense, or destroying evidence.

For reference, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze have been charged under:

Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempted seizure and blockade of strategic and special importance facilities, committed by a group);

Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence); and

Article 317 (public incitement to overthrow the constitutional order and state authority by force),

which carry a sentence of up to 9 years in prison.

Lasha Beridze has been charged under:

Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” (attempted seizure and blockade of strategic and special importance facilities, committed by a group), and

Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence),

punishable by up to 9 years in prison.

Paata Manjgaladze has been charged under:

Article 225, Part 1 (organization of group violence),

which also carries a sentence of up to 9 years in prison.