Appeals Court in Georgia Begins Reviewing Sentences in October 4 Protest Case

On September 14, the Court of Appeals of Georgia began reviewing the case concerning the events of October 4, 2025, when participants in an opposition protest allegedly attempted to bring about a "peaceful transfer of power." The majority of those convicted in the case are opposition politicians.

Paata Burchuladze, Nikoloz Gventsadze, Irakli Chkhvirkia, Lasha Beridze, Guri Zhvania, Irakli Nadiradze, and Paata Manjgaladze were brought to court. Tornike Mchedlishvili was not present at the hearing, having previously been pardoned.

Those present greeted Burchuladze—a world-renowned opera singer and one of the organizers of the October 4 protest—with applause.
At the start of the hearing, it was announced that the prosecution had reached a plea agreement with Nikoloz Gventsadze. Under its terms, the politician is to serve one year in prison, followed by a three-year suspended sentence. A separate hearing to approve the agreement will be held at the Court of Appeals; if the court approves it, Gventsadze will be released from prison on October 7.

Video footage presented by the prosecution shows Gventsadze near the presidential administration building. In the recording, he approaches a metal barrier and, along with other participants, rocks it back and forth, but he does not enter the administration's courtyard.

The other defendants in the case received sentences ranging from five to seven years. Specifically, Lasha Beridze, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, Irakli Nadiradze, and Paata Manjgaladze were each sentenced to seven years. Tornike Mchedlishvili, Guri Zhvania, Nikoloz Gventsadze, and Irakli Chkhvirkia were sentenced to five years. Another defendant—Irakli Shaishmelashvili, a former employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Department for Special Assignments—was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison; he is currently abroad.

The defendants faced charges related to the events of October 4, including attempted seizure and blockade of strategic facilities and sites of special importance, organizing or participating in group violence, and publicly calling for the violent alteration of the constitutional order and the overthrow of the government. Some of the convicted individuals were found guilty on multiple counts, while others were convicted on only one.

The opening statements were scheduled for the first hearing of the Court of Appeal, but the proceedings were postponed due to the finalization of a plea agreement with Gventsadze. According to Radio Liberty, similar agreements may be reached with other defendants as well.

In total, 64 people were charged in connection with the events of October 4. Following plea agreements with investigators, 22 defendants have already been released from custody. Another 12 are due for release after serving one year in prison. Fifteen defendants received prison sentences.

The events that gave rise to the case took place on October 4, 2025. Opposition parties boycotted the municipal elections and gathered supporters at Freedom Square in Tbilisi, calling for the "peaceful overthrow of the government." Some demonstrators attempted to break through to the presidential residence, leading to clashes with special forces and mass arrests.

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