Tbilisi City Court sentences seven in October 4 case

Tbilisi City Court Judge Giorgi Gelashvili on Friday sentenced seven defendants in the October 4 case to prison terms for their involvement in the attempted seizure and blockade of a strategic facility, as well as participation in group violence.

Six of the defendants - Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Konstantine Kokaia, Davit Sturua, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, Davit Zhghenti, and Zakro Albutashvili - received five-year sentences. The seventh defendant, Ia Darakhvelidze, was sentenced to three years.

Following the announcement, Giorgi Chakhunashvili, who had been on bail, was arrested in the courtroom. Ia Darakhvelidze did not attend the hearing; consequently, authorities are expected to issue an arrest warrant and enforce her sentence once she is located.

The proceedings were marked by volatile statements from the defendants. Zakro Albutashvili warned the judge to “think carefully” before issuing the verdict, implying negative consequences. Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, who maintained his innocence by claiming he was merely “shaking a fence”, threatened the judge, stating he would visit the judge’s family upon his release. Similarly, Konstantine Kokaia rejected the charges and directed threats toward the prosecutor, declaring his intent to confront him at his home.

All seven individuals were convicted under Article 19-222(2)(a) of Georgia’s Criminal Code, regarding the attempted seizure and blockade of a strategic facility by a group, and Article 225(2), concerning participation in group violence.