TBILISI, June 11 – Fourteen more defendants in Georgia’s “October 4” case were released from court on Wednesday after accepting plea agreements with prosecutors.
The case concerns events near the Atoneli Palace, the presidential residence in central Tbilisi, on October 4. The release of detainees has been one of the main demands raised by Georgia’s opposition during a year and a half of protest since the disputed 2024 parliamentary election.
Twenty-one have now been freed after accepting guilt, marking a new development in Georgia’s stand-off between government and opposition.
On Tuesday, eight defendants in one episode of the case received plea agreements. Seven were released from custody, while one was already free on bail.
On Wednesday, Interpressnews first reported that 14 more people were expected to be released under plea deals. Later that day, a court approved agreements for eight defendants in one episode, and all eight were released from the courtroom. A second hearing later approved plea agreements for six more defendants, who were also released from court.
All of those released under the latest agreements received three-year conditional sentences.
Prosecutors said the deals were made because the defendants admitted guilt, accepted the prosecution’s evidence as undisputed and expressed remorse. Prosecutor Lasha Tskvitariya said the evidence included video material, including footage broadcast live by journalists, as well as material produced by the Interior Ministry press service.
A lawyer for some of those released said time already spent in detention will count toward the three-year conditional sentence.
The plea process has split the October 4 case into two tracks. Some defendants are accepting guilt and leaving detention under conditional sentences. Others are refusing to admit guilt and will continue fighting the charges in court.
Several of those released spoke to journalists after leaving court, mixing relief with support for those still detained. Beka Kelekhsashvili said “the price of freedom is greater than all difficulties” and said the first thing he would do was hug his family and people he had missed.
Avtandil Surmanidze said the reason for being at the protest was “the unjust actions that were taken by the authorities.” Giorgi Rurua said he had accepted the evidence against him and signed the plea agreement, adding that the decision was not difficult when a three-year-old child was waiting outside.
Giorgi Korkia said many people were still in prison unjustly and wished them quick release. Sergo Megrelishvili thanked supporters and said it had been his own decision to apply for a plea agreement.
Criminal charges have been brought against a total of 64 people in connection with the October 4 events. By late Wednesday, plea agreements had been made with 22 of them, according to Interpressnews.
