Monday, March 9, 2026

Court hears police and expert witnesses in ‘October 4’ trials

TBILISI, February 5 – Court proceedings linked to Georgia’s October 4, 2025 protests continued this week, as judges heard expert testimony and reviewed evidence in several related criminal cases involving dozens of defendants. According to Interpressnews, a total of 64 people are facing criminal charges over the events of October 4, with cases divided into … Read more

Georgian opposition figure Givi Targamadze walks free after seven months in prison

TBILISI, January 26 – Georgian opposition politician Givi Targamadze was released Monday from a prison facility in Rustavi. He served a seven month sentence for refusing to appear before a temporary parliamentary investigative commission. He was detained on June 27, 2025, after personally surrendering to a police unit in central Tbilisi, following a court decision … Read more

Saakashvili back in court over 2007 crackdown case

TBILISI, January 22 – Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili appeared in a Tbilisi City Court hearing on Thursday in the long-running case over the events of November 7, 2007, when police cracked down on protesters and the opposition TV station Imedi was raided. The prosecution accuses Saakashvili of ordering a mass dispersal of demonstrators, the … Read more

Tbilisi court keeps 13 defendants jailed over October 4 unrest

TBILISI, January 21 – A Tbilisi city court on Wednesday ruled to keep 13 people in pretrial detention over their alleged role in unrest near the Atoneli Palace on October 4. The court reviewed the preventive measures imposed on the defendants and examined video evidence during the hearing. Prosecutors asked the court to keep all … Read more

Georgia’s president pardons 159, but families still wait for names

TBILISI, January 20 – Georgia’s president Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned 159 convicted people late Monday as a gesture of clemency in connection with the Orthodox Epiphany celebration. But hours later, there was confusion among families and supporters over who, exactly, made the list. Kavelashvili’s press service announced at 10:33 p.m. on Monday that the president had … Read more

Lawmaker: Jailed protesters should show remorse to get pardons

TBILISI, January 19 – A ruling party lawmaker said on Monday that people detained during recent protests are unlikely to receive presidential pardons unless they admit guilt and show genuine remorse. Levan Makhashvili, chair of the parliament’s European Integration Committee, told reporters that the president has clearly set conditions for granting pardons. According to Makhashvili, … Read more

October protest organizers defend actions in Tbilisi courtroom

TBILISI, January 15 – A group of prominent Georgian opposition figures appeared in court in Tbilisi on Thursday as hearings continued into events that unfolded near the Atoneli Palace during a mass protest on October 4. The case is being heard at Tbilisi City Court and involves Paata Burchuladze, Mur­taz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, … Read more

Ex-PM’s 5-year sentence sparks political storm in Tbilisi

TBILISI, January 14 – Georgia’s political class were in shock after prosecutors confirmed a plea deal with former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, a man who until recently was part of the inner circle of the ruling Georgian Dream party. On Tuesday, the Prosecutor’s Office said it had signed a plea agreement with Garibashvili. Under the … Read more

Former Tbilisi vice mayor candidate to remain in custody

TBILISI, January 14 – A Tbilisi court has ruled to keep opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili in pre-trial detention as he faces charges of terrorism. Elisashvili, a former independent member of parliament who ran as candidate for deputy mayor together with Lelo – Strong Georgia last year, is charged with attempting to carry out a terrorist … Read more

Hunger strike overshadows October 4 hearing

TBILISI, January 5 – A Georgian court on Monday continued hearing a high-profile criminal case linked to events that unfolded on October 4, with 15 defendants accused of taking part in group violence and attempting to seize a site of strategic importance. The substantive trial is being held at the Tbilisi City Court, where the … Read more