“If even one defendant admits guilt, we will consider the issue of preventive measures in relation to them. We may also consider the issue of a plea agreement,” said Roin Khintibidze, the prosecutor in the case of 15 individuals detained in connection with events that unfolded during the protest rally on October 4, speaking to journalists.

As he noted after the court hearing, there is video evidence for all defendants showing how they carried out various violent acts. According to the prosecutor, this video footage was examined during today’s proceedings.

“At the court hearing, we examined an uninterrupted recording that clearly shows how the organizers made statements, how the crowd then moved toward the presidential palace, and how various acts of violence were carried out there, including attempts to storm and seize the presidential palace. As for the evidence, there is video footage relating to each defendant in which they are clearly visible—their faces are identifiable—showing them carrying out various violent acts, including attempts to break into and forcibly seize the presidential palace. In addition, habitoscopic examinations have been ordered for these video recordings to establish that the individuals shown are indeed the defendants…

The prosecution is ready to consider plea agreements with any defendant; however, this requires that the defendant admit the committed act and acknowledge the evidence as indisputable—something we do not currently have. Such a request must also be accompanied by a statement in which the defendants admit the crime and fully plead guilty to the charges brought against them. It is up to the defendants themselves to decide who admits guilt and who does not. If even one defendant admits guilt, we will consider the issue of preventive measures with respect to that person and may also consider a plea agreement,” Khintibidze said.

Regarding the defense’s position that group involvement cannot be proven because the defendants did not know each other, the prosecutor stated that for group involvement it is sufficient that the individuals jointly participated in collective violent actions, which is clearly visible in the video footage.

For reference, Gocha Katashvili, Sulkhan Abralava, Konstantine Kokaia, Davit Zhghenti, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, Aleksandre Gogoladze, Davit Sturua, Eva Shashiashvili, Zakro Albutashvili, Genadi Kelikhashvili, Dato Ghutskaia, Ramaz Jorbenadze, Jandri Tirqia, Giorgi Chakhunashvili, and Ia Darakhvelidze have been charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempted seizure of an object of strategic and special importance committed by a group) and Article 225(2) (participation in group violence), offenses punishable by up to six years’ imprisonment.