Court maintains detention of Zviad Tsetskhladze, along with 7 others, in connection with charges related to violent demonstrations.
Tbilisi's City Court has decided to keep Zviad Tsetskhladze and eight others behind bars, following their arrests based on accusations of stirring up violence during demonstrations close to the parliament. Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili made this ruling.
Previously anticipated to scrutinize the prosecution's evidence, the latest hearing was constrained due to Elguja Avsajanishvili's remote attendance because of health concerns. Consequently, no witnesses were examined, and the court only examined whether the detainees should remain in custody.
Vazha Todua, the prosecutor, contended that the potential threat of the detainees fleeing or engaging in additional acts of violence justifies their continued incarceration. Defense attorneys countered this, requesting their clients' release or the implementation of bail, with human rights advocates suggesting alternative measures such as electronic monitoring instead.
Three of the defendants - Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili - are charged with organizing and leading violent gatherings, which could result in sentences ranging from 6 to 9 years. The remaining five - Giorgi Gorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili - are accused of taking part in such acts, which could lead to 4 to 6 years in prison.
In recent developments on a separate note, reports suggest that protests in Tbilisi have persisted for 141 to 155 days, with escalating legal actions against protesters:
- Eleven protesters have been remanded following arrests during December 2024 protests, including prominent figures like actor Andro Chichinadze and comedian Onise Tskhadadze. They face charges of participating in group violence under Criminal Code Article 225, with potentially 4 to 6 years in prison.[1]
- The Social Justice Center has submitted legal arguments in these cases, showing growing concern over due process during trials.[2]
As the struggle between protesters defending Georgia's European future and the authorities escalates, it's crucial to remember the overall picture of police crackdowns, reported brutality, torture of detainees, and instances of coordinated theft by police during arrests. [3][4][5]
The trial for Zviad Tsetskhladze and others continued with the court examining measures to determine if they should remain in custody, despite Elguja Avsajanishvili's remote attendance due to health concerns. The prosecution, led by Vazha Todua, argued for the detainees' continued incarceration due to potential threats of their fleeing or engaging in further violence. The defense attorneys countered this, requesting their clients' release or the implementation of bail, while human rights advocates suggested alternative measures such as electronic monitoring instead.
In a separate matter, ongoing protests in Tbilisi have lasted between 141 to 155 days, with escalating legal actions against protesters. Eleven protesters, including Andro Chichinadze and Onise Tskhadadze, have been remanded following arrests during December 2024 protests, facing charges under Criminal Code Article 225 with potential sentences of 4 to 6 years in prison. The Social Justice Center has submitted legal arguments in these cases, expressing concern over due process during trials.
As the standoff between protesters pushing for Georgia's European future and the authorities intensifies, it's essential to consider the broader picture of police crackdowns, alleged brutality, torture, and instances of coordinated theft by police during arrests. These incidents have been reported in various general-news and crime-and-justice outlets.[3][4][5]
