“The figures Nina Sander and Irakli Shaishmelashvili were included in the indictment; however, Murtaz Zodelava does not know either of them,” said Maiko Mumladze, the lawyer of Murtaz Zodelava, who was arrested in connection with the events of October 4.

According to her, the indictment has been updated to include the dissemination of campaign materials, although she does not know on what basis the investigation relies.

“We received the indictment, which specifies the charges and includes the figures Nina Sander and Irakli Shaishmelashvili. However, Murtaz Zodelava does not know either of them and has never had any contact or communication with them. It’s clear what the purpose and motive behind this is — they want to introduce unexplained figures into the case. Today, we were given only two pages of the indictment. No evidence has been handed over yet, and the pre-trial hearing is ahead, where the evidence will be presented. It will be interesting to see how and in what way these new figures are connected to my client. The indictment now includes the dissemination of campaign materials — which reminds me of the Soviet era, when people were charged for distributing proclamations. I cannot say what the Prosecutor’s Office’s explanation for this is,” Mumladze said.

For reference, in the case of October 4, leaders of the movement “Rustaveli Avenue” — Paata Burchuladze, former Chief Prosecutor Murtaz Zodelava, United National Movement member Irakli Nadiradze, Strategy Aghmashenebeli leader Paata Manjgaladze, and Colonel Lasha Beridze — have all been remanded in custody.

Zodelava, Burchuladze, and Nadiradze have been charged under Article 19-222, part 2, subparagraph “a” (attempted seizure and blockade of strategic and special facilities, committed in a group), Article 225, part 1 (organization and leadership of group violence), and Article 317 (calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and government), which carry a penalty of up to 9 years in prison.

Beridze has been charged under Article 19-222, part 2, subparagraph “a,” and Article 225, part 1, which also carry up to 9 years’ imprisonment. Manjgaladze has been charged under Article 225, part 1 (organization of group violence), also punishable by up to 9 years in prison.