The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia is seeking to have 11 individuals detained during protest rallies recognized as guilty.
The prosecution made this request during the concluding remarks at the trial of the 11 individuals detained during the protest rallies.
At today’s hearing, the prosecution delivered its concluding statement, emphasizing the guilt of all 11 detained individuals. As prosecutor Vazha Todu stated during the session, the individuals detained during the ongoing protest rallies were distinguished by various active actions, including throwing various objects, including pyrotechnics.
“A set of evidence has been presented, according to which, starting from November 28, during the ongoing rallies, some citizens engaged in group violence that took on a systemic nature. They expressed physical and verbal violence against the police deployed to maintain public order in the area adjacent to the Parliament, threw various objects, easily flammable materials, pyrotechnic devices, damaged property in the surrounding area with various objects, and set up barricades. As a result of their actions, the Parliament of Georgia was damaged.
Organizers Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vasil Kadzelashvili, and Vepkhia Kasradze organized violent actions, developed plans, and assigned specific roles to group members. Sergei Kukhartchuk actively participated in the actions of this violent group, throwing stones and posing a threat to police officers and others present at the rally. Valeri Kukhartchuk threw a glass bottle, endangering the lives of police officers and others. Revaz Kiknadze threw stones toward the police, Vako Tetrashvili threw a stone. Andro Chichinadze threw a stick toward the police and carried out other active actions. Guram Mirtskhulava threw a heavy object toward the police and carried out other active actions.
Revaz Kiknadze threw a stone, Irakli Kerashvili threw pyrotechnics, and Giorgi Terishvili threw a long, heavy object.
All 11 individuals were charged with participation in group violence under the relevant article,” stated Vazha Todu.
Additionally, the prosecution highlighted the investigators questioned in the criminal case, who, according to prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalughelashvili, reviewed videos of the crimes committed by the accused. According to him, the footage shows that violent actions were carried out against the police.
“The footage shows individuals participating in group violence, setting fire to large pyrotechnic devices and throwing them toward law enforcement officers… Their actions are directed against the police. Property and physical damage were caused… Each accused, with their own eyes, saw how objects were thrown toward the police and carried out the same actions themselves. They performed the same actions at the same time, and their actions were directed against the police… Resistance was carried out through coordinated actions, and their actions collectively constitute a group crime.
All evidence was obtained in full compliance with the law. This evidence confirms the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. We request that you find them guilty of the crime provided for under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia,” stated Tsalughelashvili.
As a reminder, during the protest rallies near the Parliament, 11 individuals were detained on charges of participating in group violence.
The detained individuals—Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Guram Mirtskhulava, Valeri Tetrashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kerashvili, Revaz Kiknadze, and Sergei Kukhartchuk—were charged under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to participation in group violence.
This crime carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from 4 to 6 years.
Prosecutor in the case of 11 individuals detained at the protests: The footage shows individuals performing the same actions against the police; their actions constitute a group crime – I request that the defendants be found guilty
