“If you release them on bail and they spend the New Year at home, I will be very glad,” said victim Beka Gotsiridze regarding the detained Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze, who are accused of committing group violence against him.

The victim, Beka Gotsiridze, was questioned in court today.

He recalled in detail the incident that occurred on July 31, 2024. According to him, he was walking along Rustaveli Avenue when he got into an argument with certain individuals.

“One of the people I argued with asked me why I was filming, and a conflict arose… I was holding my phone in my hand… I got into a fight with everyone who was there — I was fighting alone against 25 people… they attacked me… we got into a fight… nothing special… it wasn’t just Mindia and Giorgi, about 25 people were fighting me,” Gotsiridze said.

In response to a question from lawyer Omar Purtzeladze about whether the pain he experienced was severe, Gotsiridze answered in the negative.

“No, it wasn’t like that… I felt pain, but it wasn’t alarming, Your Honor… I also swung my hand… I was fighting too,” Gotsiridze said.

When asked whether he had any claims against the defendants or whether he wanted them to be imprisoned, Gotsiridze answered no. He also stated that he would not feel fear if they were released.

For reference, Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze have been charged under Article 126, Part One, subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia (violence committed by a group), which carries a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment.

They are accused of committing violence against Beka Gotsiridze.