Justice Ministry restricts communication for detainees accused of inciting overthrow

Based on a written request from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice has restricted several detainees — Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze — from making phone calls, receiving visitors, or sending letters from prison until December 9.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the decision, following reports by defense lawyers that the five individuals had been banned from any form of external communication.

All five were arrested on October 5 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on charges of calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order.