Tbilisi City Court sentences defendants in government overthrow plot

Tbilisi City Court on Thursday sentenced several defendants in the October 4 case to prison terms ranging from two to seven years.

According to the ruling, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, and Paata Manjgaladze were each sentenced to seven years in prison.

Other defendants in the same case also received prison sentences. Lasha Beridze was sentenced to seven years, Irakli Shaishmelashvili to two years, Irakli Chkhvirkia to five years, while Tornike Mchedlishvili, Guri Zhvania, and Nika Gventsadze were each sentenced to five years imprisonment.

During the hearing, nearly all of the defendants exercised their right to deliver final statements before the verdict was announced, including Paata Burchuladze, Paata Manjgaladze, Irakli Nadiradze, Murtaz Zodelava, and Lasha Beridze.

According to the prosecution, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze had been charged under Article 19-222(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the attempted seizure and blockade of strategically important facilities committed by a group. They were also charged under Article 225(1), relating to organizing and leading group violence.

On October 4, 2025, 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 five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the Government - a potential offence 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”.