According to Prosecutor Tamar Bejashvili, the damage caused during the events on October 4 on Rustaveli Avenue exceeds several tens of thousands of lari.

As she told journalists, the leaders of the Rustaveli Avenue Movement Paata Burchuladze and Murtaz Zodelava, United National Movement member Irakli Nadiradze, Strategy Aghmashenebeli leader Paata Manjgaladze, and Colonel Lasha Beridze do not deny the factual circumstances and justify their actions by claiming patriotic motives.

“The court fully accepted the evidence presented by the prosecution, including both factual and formal grounds, and ruled to impose pre-trial detention for all five defendants. We all saw live broadcasts showing the defendants’ public calls and active involvement during the commission of the crime. In principle, none of the defendants denied the factual circumstances that we all saw on television; however, they did not recognize these actions as criminal, arguing that they acted solely out of patriotic motivation. They do not dispute the facts or their actions and openly admit that they indeed committed these acts. Ultimately, the court will assess everything,” Bejashvili said.

She added that the criminal case includes a set of evidence. In addition to public statements and website inspection records confirming the defendants’ participation in the alleged crimes, there are also witness interrogation protocols from individuals who suffered physical pain and harm as a result of the defendants’ actions. The case file also includes various inspection reports, on-site investigation protocols, seized evidence, expert conclusions, and a commodity expertise report confirming the extent of the damage.

“Therefore, aside from the public statements we all saw, the case contains a body of multiple direct pieces of evidence confirming that all five defendants committed the crime. At this stage, there is an expert report estimating the damages at several tens of thousands of lari, though the full amount caused by the destruction of evidence has not yet been calculated. The investigation into this particular criminal case is ongoing. If any link to another case emerges, appropriate action will follow,” the prosecutor stated.

Bejashvili also commented on the fact that Judge Lela Maridashvili, who is handling the case, previously represented Georgian Dream in the City Council, noting that this does not indicate potential bias.

“The prosecution did not share the defense’s position. We believe that the fact that the judge previously held any position does not imply bias. She confirmed this herself, and the prosecution also had a clear position on the matter,” Bejashvili said.

For reference, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze were charged under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” (attempted seizure or blocking of strategic and critically important facilities, committed by a group); Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence); and Article 317 (incitement to violently change the constitutional order of Georgia and overthrow the government), all punishable by up to nine years of imprisonment.

Lasha Beridze was charged under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” (attempted seizure or blocking of strategic and critically important facilities, committed by a group) and Article 225, Part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence), also punishable by up to nine years in prison.

Paata Manjgaladze was charged under Article 225, Part 1 (organization of group violence), which likewise carries a penalty of up to nine years of imprisonment.