“The goal was an attack on one of the branches of government - the judiciary - with the aim of destabilizing and destroying it,” said Mariam Berdzenishvili, the prosecutor in the case of politician Aleko Elisashvili - one of the leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia, who has been detained on charges of attempted terrorist act.

According to her, both the actions committed by the defendant and the evidence collected in the case determined the legal qualification of the crime.

“The basis for the charge against Aleko Elisashvili was his own actions and the evidence in the case. Today he confirmed the fact of committing the act - from the moment of breaking into the court, attacking the bailiffs, as well as pouring flammable liquid inside the building, although he claims this was not a criminal act.”

“As for terrorism - the goal was to attack one of the branches of government, the judiciary, with the intention of destabilizing and destroying it.”

According to the prosecutor, the prosecution has protocols of interviews of bailiffs who caught the defendant in the act. The bailiffs give detailed accounts of everything. Patrol police officers also arrived quickly on the scene and carried out the arrest.

She also stated that, according to witness statements, the detained politician “attempted to draw a firearm.”

“Regarding the firearm - Elisashvili possessed it legally. However, no one has the right to use a legally owned weapon in violation of the law. The defendant explained that he had been in the forest for several days and might have been in danger there. After that, he jumped over the back fence of the court building. According to him, the gun was in the holster under his jacket. His position is that he did not attempt to use the gun. But the interviewed individuals - those who neutralized him - claim that when the bailiff entered and Elisashvili attacked him, the bailiffs tried to restrain him, and at that moment Elisashvili reached toward his chest area and tried to draw the gun. They also mention certain threats - when he attempted to grab the gun, he allegedly threatened the bailiffs, saying he had the weapon and they should let him go. During the neutralization process the weapon fell to the ground and the bailiffs moved it away.”

Regarding the reclassification of the charge, she noted that when the authorities initially received the report and the investigation began, no investigative actions had yet taken place, and at that stage the motive appeared to be arson and destruction of property. However, based on the collected evidence, the Prosecution determined that the crime corresponded to the charge currently brought against him.

“When criminal prosecution is initiated, the only thing that has decisive significance is the evidence,” Berdzenishvili said.

Concerning the bailiffs’ health, the prosecutor stated that they have various injuries - including bite marks.

“The bailiffs have visible injuries on their faces, including bite marks, and one bailiff has an injured hand. Forensic medical examinations have been assigned. From the very first moment of the confrontation the infliction of harm against the bailiffs began.”

She also stated that the bailiffs’ actions were a response necessary to disarm Elisashvili, and further details will be clarified through the investigation.

Regarding the surveillance footage:

“These are recordings taken from multiple cameras. We are working to determine the precise route. Elisashvili did not dispute that he is the one seen in the videos - he confirmed everything, he only disagrees with the legal qualification. As for colors - different surveillance cameras record colors differently.”

According to the prosecutor, Elisashvili refused to testify before the investigative authorities and exercised his right to remain silent.

“However, if he wishes to cooperate with the investigation, we remain open to receive his testimony.”

Today, preventive detention (arrest) was imposed as a restraining measure against Aleko Elisashvili.

He has been charged under Article 19-323, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia - attempted terrorist act, which is punishable by 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.

According to the investigation, masked Aleko Elisashvili arrived at the Tbilisi City Court building on November 29 at approximately 04:00, armed with a firearm, ammunition, and items necessary to carry out a terrorist act. He broke the glass of the court chancery’s exterior façade with a hammer and entered the building.

Per the Prosecutor’s Office, he poured a large amount of flammable substance on the items and documents inside and attempted to start a fire by igniting it.

The investigation also states that the politician attacked and beat one of the bailiffs.