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 act.
Prosecutors say the incident took place early on November 29, when a masked man allegedly armed with a firearm, ammunition, and flammable substances entered the grounds of the Tbilisi City Court, smashed a window with a hammer, poured combustible liquid inside the building, and tried to start a fire. Investigators also allege that a court security officer was assaulted during the incident.
The charge carries a possible sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison under Georgia’s criminal code. The prosecution argues that witness testimony and video footage support the terrorism qualification and says no new circumstances have emerged that would justify easing Elisashvili’s detention.
Defense lawyers strongly dispute that assessment. Elisashvili’s attorneys say the damage was limited to broken glass valued at about 110 lari (40 USD), and argue that the case was initially investigated as property damage before being reclassified. They accuse the prosecution of inflating the charge and say the court granted investigators extra time without proper justification.
During court hearings on Tuesday, Elisashvili repeatedly clashed with the presiding judge, at one point being removed from the courtroom. He also alleged mistreatment during his arrest and detention, claiming excessively tight handcuffs caused injuries and that earlier complaints against police were never properly investigated.
The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia rejected those claims in a statement issued the same day. The agency said Elisashvili is held at Prison No. 6, a high-security facility, in line with legal requirements, and denied allegations of abuse, lack of hygiene items, or internal violence. Officials said Elisashvili initially declined to have a television in his cell and later received one on the same day he requested it.
Elisashvili’s lawyers responded that the penitentiary service’s statement misrepresented his remarks and focused on minor issues while ignoring allegations of inhuman treatment. They argued that his continued placement in a high-risk prison was unjustified and said he is barred from phone contact with the outside world.
The court ultimately rejected defense motions to lift detention or remove the judge from the case, leaving Elisashvili in custody as the investigation continues.
