“If someone had told me beforehand that a person could be imprisoned for one year based on an old statement, I would not have believed it. Can you imagine the scale of the manipulation and falsification?” Paata Manjgaladze, one of those convicted in the October 4 case, said during a court hearing.

As he noted, “It was unclear to me why I was here, but hearing the political statements, it is clear that there is a major political interest in this case.”

“I would like to use this opportunity to make a statement regarding my so-called guilt. You probably know that for eight whole months I was prohibited from communicating with the outside world. Now I am taking this opportunity to address my former colleagues: Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze, Mamuka Mdinaradze and Shalva Papuashvili - well, others as well, but these three personally.

“Before you start speaking about my guilt, accuse me of something I did not commit, and then justify my detention with the so-called case of a conventional crime under the Rwanda Convention, perhaps you should first have read the verdict of your ‘impartial’ judge Khuskivadze, who considered my statements from October 20 and 24, 2024, as the main evidence of my guilt and of my being the organizer of the October 4 rally?

“In the verdict, the judge repeatedly cited the following statement as key evidence, in which I said: ‘Georgia’s victory begins when each of us believes that we can do this. There are many of us. Today, everyone to the rally, and on October 26, everyone to the historic elections!’

“Mr. Irakli, Mr. Mamuka, Shalva, I think it is clear even from the content what indisputable evidence we are talking about, what legal connection it could possibly have to proving my guilt, and whose guilt this is evidence of at all, when under this standard you intend to deprive a person of his freedom for seven years?

“I have never bothered you with personal matters, so perhaps you could at least now explain to the public what we are dealing with. I address journalists, whom I believe I had a particularly close relationship with as a politician, with the utmost respect: perhaps you could disseminate this statement of mine and personally ask the individuals concerned about it,” Manjgaladze said during the hearing.

For reference, a trial is underway at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals concerning the events that took place near the Atoneli Palace on October 4. The defendants are Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, Lasha Beridze, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, Irakli Chkhvirkia, Guri Zhvania, Nika Gventsadze and Tornike Mchedlishvili.

The court of first instance sentenced Lasha Beridze, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, Irakli Nadiradze and Paata Manjgaladze to seven years in prison each; Tornike Mchedlishvili, Guri Zhvania, Nika Gventsadze and Irakli Chkhvirkia to five years each; and Irakli Shaishmelashvili to two years in prison. The defense appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeals.

For reference, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze and Irakli Nadiradze were charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a), of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns an attempt, committed by a group, to seize and block strategic and specially important facilities. They were also charged under Article 225, Part 1, which concerns organizing and leading group violence. In addition, they were charged under Article 317, which concerns calls for the violent change of Georgia’s constitutional order and the overthrow of state authority and carries a sentence of up to nine years in prison.

Irakli Shaishmelashvili was charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns publicly calling for the violent change of Georgia’s constitutional order or the overthrow of state authority and carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. Lasha Beridze was charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a), concerning an attempt, committed by a group, to seize and block strategic and specially important facilities. He was also charged under Article 225, Part 1, concerning organizing and leading group violence.

Irakli Chkhvirkia, Nika Gventsadze and Tornike Mchedlishvili were charged under Article 19-222, Part 2(a), concerning an attempt, committed by a group, to seize and block strategic and specially important facilities. They were also charged under Article 225, Part 1, concerning organizing and leading group violence. The offense carries a sentence of six to nine years in prison.

Guri Zhvania was charged under Article 225, Part 2, of the Criminal Code, which concerns participation in group violence.

Paata Manjgaladze was charged under Article 225, Part 1, of the Criminal Code, which concerns organizing group violence. The offense carries a sentence of six to nine years in prison.