Eight more defendants plead guilty in October 4 coup attempt case, plea deals to be concluded

Another group of defendants in the October 4 coup attempt case has admitted guilt, with eight additional accused persons fully confessing to the charges and agreeing to plea deals.

During today’s court hearing, all eight defendants acknowledged the accusations and declared the evidence against them as undisputed, paving the way for formal plea agreements.

The plea agreements will be concluded with the following defendants: Eva Shanshiashvili, Aleksandre Gogoladze, Gocha Qatashvili, Sulkhan Abralava, Ramaz Jorbenadze, Jandri Tirqia, Genadi Kelikhashvili, and Dato Ghutskaya.

Out of a total of 15 defendants in the case, plea agreements will not be signed at this stage with seven individuals: Dr. Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Ia Darakhvel, Zakro Albuthashvili, Davit Zhghent, Konstantine Kokaya, Kakha Mzhanadze, and Davit Sturua. These defendants do not admit guilt and reject the charges brought against them.

Previously, seven other defendants in the same case had already admitted guilt. On June 2, Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhashvili, Giorgi Muladze, Mamuka Labuchidze, Guriel Kardava, Avtandil Surmanidze, and Temur Kurtsikidze confessed to involvement in the violent events connected to October 4.

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”.