Aleksandre Elisashvili sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempted terrorist act

Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Strong Georgia - Lelo, on Friday was found guilty by the court on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act.
Judge Giorgi Gelashvili sentenced him to 13 years in prison.

The case concerns an incident that took place in the administrative building of the Tbilisi City Court, where employees of the Court Enforcement Service stopped Elisashvili’s actions, after which he was detained by law enforcement officers at the scene.

Elisashvili was charged under Article 19-323(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to an attempt to commit a terrorist act. The offence carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.

In addition, Elisashvili faces charges in another episode under Article 323(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which defines a terrorist act as an explosion, arson, attack on a person, use of weapons, or another act committed with terrorist intent that creates a threat of loss of life, significant property damage, or other grave consequences.

The offence is also punishable by imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years.

Elisashvili pleaded guilty. In court, he stated that the reason for his actions was a protest that was “choking” him.

“The protest I felt was choking me, and I acted in the only way I knew how. I decided that this was the necessary way to act. It didn't work out”, Elisashvili noted.