GYLA examines criminal case against Paata Manjgaladze, following an appeal from his family and lawyer

GYLA has examined the criminal case ongoing against Paata Manjgaladze, following an appeal from his family and lawyer. According to GYLA, the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia accuses Paata Manjgaladze of organizing group violence; however, the prosecution "continues a concerning trend regarding the individualization of charges—failing to specify, within the indictment, which evidence corresponds to the actions committed by which specific individual."

In GYLA’s assessment, the evidence presented in the case is insufficient to prove—beyond a reasonable doubt—that Paata Manjgaladze organized or led the group violence. "In the substantiation of the charges, his political activity and connection to the protest rally are not distinguished from individual participation in the organization of violence.

The Court of Appeals must critically evaluate the factual circumstances established by the court of first instance, the accuracy of the assessment of evidence, and the legality and substantiation of the decision rendered. Should the Court of Appeals endorse the positions of the Public Defender and GYLA, it is crucial that it refrain from continuing the flawed practice of altering the legal qualification of charges; instead, provided there are appropriate legal grounds, it should issue a lawful, well-founded, and fair decision—specifically, an acquittal for Paata Manjgaladze," reads the statement.