Tbilisi City Court has upheld the preventive measure — pre-trial detention — for all 13 individuals arrested in connection with the events that unfolded near the Atoneli Palace on October 4.

With this decision, Judge Nato Khujadze granted the Prosecutor’s Office motion.

At today’s pre-trial hearing, the issue of admissibility of evidence was discussed. The Prosecutor’s Office requested that the detention imposed on the defendants remain in force. According to one of the prosecutors, Roin Khintibidze, on the day of the October 4 protest, some of the defendants attempted to seize the Presidential Palace, and all of them committed acts of violence.

Another prosecutor, Nugzar Chitadze, said that the factual circumstances of the case establish the content of the defendants’ actions against the state, and that, if the preventive measure is changed, there is a risk that they may go into hiding or commit a new crime.

The defense disagreed with the prosecution’s position and requested the replacement of detention. They also argued that the defendants were arrested on political grounds.

According to the lawyers, the criminal case does not provide any basis for keeping the defendants in custody. In their view, there is no risk of the defendants going into hiding or committing a new crime.

In addition, some of the defendants’ lawyers filed motions requesting bail in the amount of GEL 2,000, while others requested GEL 5,000. The lawyers of defendants Yuri Lomidze and Giorgi Talakhadze also requested bail but left the determination of the amount to the court.

For reference, 13 individuals — Kakhaber Kvachantiradze, Simon Makharadze, Gia Toloraia, Mikheil Toloraia, Avtandil Topchishvili, Iuri Lomidze, Giorgi Talakhadze, Davit Giunashvili, Saba Kordzaia, Giorgi Kirvalidze, Koba Epitashvili, Manuchar Mikeladze, and Beka Machavariani — have been charged under Article 19-222, part 2, subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to an attempt to seize and block strategic and specially designated facilities committed by a group. They are also charged under Article 225, part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to participation in group violence.