Defendants in 4 October civil unrest case, UNM’s Murtaz Zodelava and former Armed Forces colonel Lasha Beridze seek plea bargains

Two defendants convicted in connection with the October 4 attempted coup case have formally requested plea bargains. Murtaz Zodelava of the United National Movement and former Georgian Armed Forces Colonel Lasha Beridze announced their applications on Monday during an appeal hearing at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.

A third convict, Guri Zhvania, likewise petitioned the court for a plea agreement. Following the defence applications, the presiding judges adjourned the proceedings and scheduled the next hearing for October 13 to allow time for negotiations with the prosecution.

On 7 May, the court of first instance sentenced both Zodelava and Beridze to seven years’ imprisonment.

Murtaz Zodelava was indicted under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph ‘a’ of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which covers the attempted seizure and blockage of strategic and highly vital facilities committed by an organised group. He was further charged under Article 225, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the organisation and direction of group violence.

In addition, the Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against Zodelava under Article 317 of the Criminal Code, which concerns public calls for the violent alteration of the constitutional order and the overthrow of state authority.

Lasha Beridze was charged under Article 19-222, Part 2, Subparagraph ‘a’ of the Criminal Code of Georgia (attempted seizure of strategic and/or highly vital facilities committed by an organised group), as well as under Article 225, Part 1, covering the organisation and direction of group violence.

Guri Zhvania was indicted under Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which relates to participation in group violence.