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
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
TBILISI, December 27 – A Georgian court on Saturday ordered pre-trial detention for former defense minister Bacho Akhalaia, in the case about the October 4 ‘revolution’. According to Georgian media reports, Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecution’s request to place Akhalaia in custody as the investigation continues. The case is being handled by Georgia’s State … Read more
TBILISI, December 18 – Georgian prosecutors on Thursday, December 18, leaned on a long, continuous video recording as a key piece of evidence in court proceedings tied to the events of October 4 in Tbilisi. In the October 4 case, prosecutor Tamar Bezhuashvili said the state has reviewed an “approximately 8-hour continuous video” that, she … Read more
TBILISI, November 11 – Georgia’s jailed opposition activist and opera singer Paata Burchuladze has accused former president Salome Zourabichvili of making a “shameful” statement about the October 4 events in Tbilisi, which she described as a Russian special operation. Speaking through his lawyer, Burchuladze said Zourabichvili should have exercised restraint and avoided making comments that … Read more
TBILISI, October 18 – Five people detained during the October 4 protest in Tbilisi appeared before court Saturday, rejecting charges of participating in group violence and, in one case, attempting to seize a strategic facility, offenses that carry prison terms of up to six years. At the hearing, defendant Mariam Meqantishvili broke down in tears … Read more
TBILISI, October 17 – Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze sharply criticized the European Commission on Friday, accusing its press office of showing “direct support” for what he described as an attempted coup and of remaining silent about the recent attempted storming of the presidential palace in Tbilisi. Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said the Commission should … Read more
TBILISI, October 16 – Georgia’s diplomatic rift with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) widened on Thursday after the government fined Elina Valtonen, Finland’s foreign minister and current OSCE chair, for joining an anti-government protest during her recent visit to Tbilisi. The Interior Ministry confirmed to Interpressnews that Valtonen was fined 5,000 … Read more
TBILISI, October 15 – Georgia’s parliament opened debate Wednesday on a government-backed bill that would sharply increase penalties for unauthorized protests, introducing the harshest restrictions on street demonstrations in years. The proposal is part of a set of three legislative packages now being reviewed under an accelerated procedure. Under the new draft, people taking part … Read more
TBILISI, October 14 – Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday defended the government’s controversial new legislation aimed at curbing unapproved street protests and warned against what he called “radical” opposition forces. Kobakhidze said the government is finalizing a constitutional lawsuit that will target political parties he accused of “destructive” activity. “Our country needs calm … Read more