Court proceedings are underway at the Tbilisi City Court regarding the events that took place near the Atoneli Palace on October 4. The defendants include Nina Sanders, Mariam Mekantsishvili, and ten other individuals.

At today’s hearing, the parties are delivering their opening statements.

The detainees are present at the trial, except for Vakhtang Fitskhelauri and Anton Uper.

The case is being heard by Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili.

As the defendants entered the courtroom, Judge Mchedlishvili asked who Alexander Khabeishvili was and then congratulated him on his birthday.

When asked by the judge whether they plead guilty, all defendants responded in the negative.

“Of course not, never!” Sanders stated.

For reference, in connection with the events of October 4 near the Atoneli Palace, Beka Kelekhsashvili, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriela Kardava, Vakhtang Fitskhelauri, Alexander Khabeishvili, Abo Naveriani, Anton Uper, Avtandil Surmanidze, Giorgi Muladze, and Temur Kurtsikidze have been charged under Article 19–222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the attempted seizure and blockage of strategic and especially important facilities, committed by a group. They have also been charged under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which concerns participation in group violence.

Mariam Mekantsishvili has been charged under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, which concerns the organization of group actions.

Nina Sanders has been charged under Article 225, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which concerns the organization of group violence and carries a penalty of 6 to 9 years’ imprisonment. She has also been charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code, which involves calls for the violent overthrow of Georgia’s constitutional order and state authority, carrying a penalty of up to 9 years’ imprisonment.