Georgian Prosecutor’s Office charges five individuals with organising, participating in attempted overthrow of state power

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia on Monday filed charges against the opposition leaders Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze for organising and leading group violence, attempting to seize a strategic and high-security facility, calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, and inciting the overthrow of state authority.

According to the investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, prior to the local self-government elections, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, and Irakli Nadiradze publicly called for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and the government. The suspects allegedly sought to mobilise citizens with aggressive attitudes toward the authorities, urging them to participate in a “revolution” that would involve mass participation in violent actions.

Investigators determined that on October 4, the local self-government election day, Burchuladze, Zodelava, Nadiradze, Beridze, Manjgaladze, and others organised and led group violence, publicly announcing through the media their plans to direct these actions.

During a protest rally held at Freedom Square, Paata Burchuladze reportedly presented an action plan calling for the immediate capture of certain government representatives and the use of unlawful coercive measures against targeted individuals. Following his address, Murtaz Zodelava allegedly instructed protesters to march toward the Presidential Administration building to seize it by force and disobey law enforcement orders.

According to the investigation, Burchuladze, Nadiradze, Beridze, Zodelava, and other participants moved from Freedom Square toward the Presidential Administration. In the area near Orbeliani Square, they destroyed municipal and private property using heavy objects and fire, erecting barricades to block law enforcement and disrupt public order.

When the group reached the Presidential Administration building - classified as a strategic and high-security facility - they damaged the metal fence and forcibly entered the yard, assaulting police officers both verbally and physically, including throwing stones and other heavy objects.

As a result, the protective fence of the strategic facility and nearby infrastructure were heavily damaged, and public and private property was destroyed. The authorities’ coordinated response prevented the seizure of the building, and the organisers - Zodelava, Burchuladze, Nadiradze, Manjgaladze, and Beridze - were promptly detained.

Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze were charged under Articles 19-222 (attempted seizure or blockade of a strategic facility, committed by a group), 225 (organisation and leadership of group violence), and 317 (incitement to the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and state authority) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, punishable by up to nine years in prison.

Lasha Beridze was charged under Articles 19-222 and 225, and Paata Manjgaladze under Article 225, each facing up to nine years of imprisonment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues the investigation to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the crime.

The Prosecutor’s Office expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service, and the Special State Protection Service for the special operations conducted on October 4 in accordance with the highest standards.