October 4 coup attempt: Georgian Interior Minister announces 16 additional detentions

Georgian Interior Minister Geka Geladze on Friday reported the detention of 16 more individuals linked to the violent events of October 4 at the President's Palace, bringing the total to 62, with criminal proceedings also initiated against two abroad, amid an ongoing investigation into attempts to overthrow the constitutional order.

In his remarks, Geladze detailed the latest arrests in the probe into the October 4 rally in Tbilisi, where protesters tried to seize the President's Palace and disrupt the state.

“As is known to the public, the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is conducting an intensive investigation to identify and hold criminally accountable those individuals who, on October 4 in Tbilisi, committed illegal and criminal acts – specifically, attempting to seize the President’s Palace through violent methods and overthrow the constitutional order, during which several dozen law enforcement officers were injured. Within the framework of the ongoing investigation, a total of 62 individuals have been detained by us so far. Criminal prosecution has also been initiated against two individuals abroad”, he said.

The newly detained face accusations of group violence, blocking strategic sites, and attacking law enforcement, while the two abroad, including Irakli Shaishmelashvili, are charged with calls to overthrow the Government.

“Regarding the two individuals abroad against whom criminal prosecution has been initiated, one of them is Irakli Shaishmelashvili. He is charged with calling for the violent change of Georgia’s constitutional order and the overthrow of state authority. Based on the evidence we have obtained, including the processing of video materials, it has been established that the individuals detained by law enforcement, together with the organisers of the rally, demolished the barriers at the President’s Palace on Atoneli Street and attempted to seize the palace on October 4. As a result of the illegal and violent actions carried out by rally participants, 35 police officers were injured, with the majority sustaining injuries to the head”, Geladze noted.

The Ministry commended the police for their professional handling of the crisis, which prevented a coup, and reiterated the commitment to impartial justice.

“I take this opportunity to once again express gratitude to law enforcement officers for protecting public safety and order with a very high standard and professionalism during the events of October 4. Everyone clearly saw that each representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ police units acted with the highest standards and in accordance with the law – this was a precisely and correctly conducted police operation, which prevented an attempt to overthrow the state. The coordinated actions of our police officers, security personnel, and the State Security Service once again proved that Georgia’s law enforcement system is strong and organized”, he said.

“Thanks to the tremendous professionalism of our law enforcement officers, we managed to protect the safety of citizens and the stability of the country. We will act with the utmost severity against anyone who attempts to undermine our country’s stability and the rule of law. Anyone who goes against the state or raises a hand against a law enforcement officer will face the full force of the law!”, Geladze concluded.

On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.

Authorities detained at least five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.