Tbilisi City Court has ordered pre-trial detention for Gela Khasaia, a member of the “Girchi – More Freedom” party, who was detained on charges of intentionally inflicting less severe bodily harm as part of a group.
Judge Nana Shamatava fully granted the prosecutor’s motion.
Prosecutor Mariam Tsulaia stated that the crime was committed by a group and falls under a serious category, which, in her words, increases the risks of the defendants fleeing or destroying evidence.
In addition, the prosecution emphasized Khasaia’s history of administrative offenses.
“He has been detained several times under administrative law, including under the article of resisting police officers,” the prosecutor said.
The defense requested bail as a preventive measure, but the court rejected this motion.
After the court ordered pre-trial detention for Gela Khasaia, a confrontation broke out between attendees and court bailiffs.
Once the judge announced the ruling, attendees shouted from the courtroom: “Gela, stay strong, we are with you.” Following these chants, the bailiffs demanded that the public leave the courtroom, which led to verbal and physical clashes between them and citizens.
The bailiffs escorted the attendees outside into the court yard, where the confrontation continued. The bailiffs attempted to remove citizens from the yard as well. Several citizens were injured, as was one bailiff. An ambulance team was called to the scene.
At this stage, bailiffs have fully cleared citizens from the court premises.
During the hearing, Gela Khasaia, detained for allegedly committing intentional group bodily harm, stated that he was subjected to inhuman treatment during his arrest.
He also noted that inhuman treatment continued at the police station. According to him, he was stripped twice, while officers displayed mocking behavior and issued threats.
The judge scheduled the next hearing for November 20 at 13:00.
For reference: According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Gela Khasaia, a member of “Girchi – More Freedom,” and another detainee have been formally charged.
Investigators established that on September 1, near King Tamar Avenue in Tbilisi, the accused, acting as a group, inflicted intentional bodily harm on the victim. The defendants were arrested on September 29.
They were charged under Article 118, Part 2 of Georgia’s Criminal Code (intentional infliction of less severe bodily harm, committed by a group), which carries a sentence of 4 to 6 years in prison.
The court orders pre-trial detention for Gela Khasaia: the decision sparked clashes between attendees and court bailiffs
