Four individuals accused of attacking the director of the Shukruti mine in Chiatura have been remanded in custody for two months by Kutaisi City Court.

During the court hearing, defense lawyers argued that the crime their clients are accused of was provoked. The defense opposed pre-trial detention and requested bail of 5,000 lari for each defendant, while prosecutors cited risks of witness tampering and flight, requesting detention.

The judge sided with the prosecution, ordering two months of pre-trial detention for all four individuals.

Merab Saralidze and Giorgi Neparidze face charges of organizing, leading and participating in group violence, which carries a prison sentence of six to nine years if convicted. Tengo Gvelesiani and Achiko Chumburidze are charged with participating in group violence, which carries a potential sentence of four to six years imprisonment.

The preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for 19 June.

According to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, “the accused physically confronted the director of the Shukruti mine in Chiatura municipality, T.K., born in 1982, and inflicted injuries to various parts of his body.”