Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia – Lelo coalition, has been officially charged. According to his lawyer, although the investigation initially began under Article 187 (2) of the Criminal Code—damage to another person’s property—authorities have reclassified the case to a far more serious charge: Article 323 (1), which pertains to a terrorist act and carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison.

“The name of the article is terrorism. This is a requalified charge. Previously, the investigation was launched under Article 187, which carried a sentence of 3 to 6 years. It appears that was not enough, and now the charge provides for 10 to 15 years. Aleksandre Elisashvili is being declared a terrorist,” Elisashvili’s lawyer said after leaving the pre-trial detention facility.

The lawyer noted that the case materials were handed over today, and he will review them in detail later.

He also stated that Elisashvili does not admit guilt, insisting that his actions were a form of political protest.

“Aleko Elisashvili does not admit guilt. He believes he carried out actions that do not constitute a crime. It was solely a form of protest—an expression of solidarity with political prisoners and against an unfair trial. Therefore, the proposed charge is absurd. How many people, especially politicians, can you think of being charged with terrorism, particularly when the alleged act was neither carried out nor completed? Aleksandre Elisashvili admits to the action, but he does not consider it criminal,” he added.

Elisashvili was arrested yesterday. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he attempted to set fire to the chancellery building of the Tbilisi City Court.