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 13 defendants in custody, arguing that detention remains necessary. Defense lawyers pushed back, saying there are no grounds to keep their clients behind bars and asked the court to replace detention with bail.
The court sided with prosecutors and rejected the defense motions, leaving all defendants in custody.
According to the indictment, the defendants are charged under an article of the Criminal Code which covers attempting to seize or block facilities of strategic or special importance when committed by a group.
They also face charges concerning participation in group violence.
