TBILISI, March 4 – A Tbilisi court on Wednesday kept 13 defendants in pre-trial detention in a case tied to the October 4, 2025 unrest outside the presidential residence on Atoneli Street, one of several ongoing trials linked to that day’s clashes.
The judge granted the prosecution’s request to keep the 13 men behind bars. Prosecutors argued the defendants used violence against police during the October 4 rally and tried to seize the presidential palace, and they also pointed to the risk of new crimes if the defendants were released.
Defense lawyers rejected that characterization, saying the defendants did not intend to take over “strategic objects” or insult anyone and that they joined the rally to make a statement. The defense lawyer Dimitri Sadaglishvili told the court the men had been “illegal prisoners” since their arrest and called for detention to be lifted without replacement by other preventive measures. However, the judge sided with prosecutors and left the 13 in custody.
According to Interpressnews, the 13 defendants are: Kakhaber Kvachantiradze, Simon Makharadze, Gia Toloraia, Avtandil Topchishvili, Mikheil Toloraia, Iuri Lomidze, Giorgi Talakhadze, Davit Giunashvili, Saba Kordzaia, Giorgi Kirvalidze, Koba Epitashvili, Manuchar Mikeladze, and Beka Machavariani.
The charges include attempted seizure and blocking of “strategic and specially important” facilities, allegedly committed as a group, and participation in group violence.
In a separate hearing on Wednesday, a patrol inspector, Nino Jioshvili, testified as a victim witness in the same case against the 13. She told the court she was struck in the leg during the October 4 rally and was taken to a clinic, where she was found to have soft tissue damage.
Interpressnews reported that one defendant, Avtandil Topchishvili, did not attend that session and was represented by his lawyer.
Other October 4 related proceedings continue in parallel. Interpressnews reported that the Tbilisi City Court is also hearing a case involving Zurab Chavchchanidze, Vladimir Gvelesiani and 12 other defendants, with prosecutors planning to present witnesses including a special forces officer recognized as a victim and an investigator who inspected the scene.
A separate case also connected to the October 4 events involves former defense minister Bacho Akhalaia. Prosecutor Tamar Bezhuashvili said the prosecution would present its opening statement and review evidence it says supports a guilty verdict, while again seeking to keep the proceedings closed. Interpressnews reported that Akhalaia is in pre-trial detention, and that Georgia’s State Security Service has described him as the main organizer of the October 4 events, alleging he directed them via an internet application and communicated with a number of political actors who are in detention.
