At Tbilisi City Court, the substantive hearing has begun in the case of defendants Zurab Chavchanidze, Vladimer Gvelesiani, and 12 other individuals in connection with the events of October 4.

The defendants are attending today’s hearing remotely from penitentiary facilities, as their transfer could not be arranged due to the non-working day.

If the court proceedings continue, the prosecution’s evidence will be examined.

The case is being heard by Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili.

Among the detainees, Zurab Chavchanidze has resorted to an extreme form of protest and has been on a hunger strike since November 21. As he told his lawyer prior to the hearing, he felt unwell yesterday.

For reference, Vladimer Gvelesiani, Sergo Megrelishvili, Zurab Chavchanidze, Giorgi Rurua, Amiran Dolishvili, Anton Vardanidze, Giorgi Korkia, Aleksandre Chilachava, Genadi Kupreishvili, Lasha Ivanadze, Levan Jikia, Sulkhan Tughushi, Khvicha Gogokhia, and Ramaz Mamuladze have been charged under Article 19–222, Part 2, Subparagraph “a” of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempted seizure of a strategic or especially important facility committed by a group) and Article 225, Part 2 (participation in group violence), offenses punishable by up to six years’ imprisonment.