MIA detains Tbilisi rally organisers, including Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze
Officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) have arrested Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze, as announced by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze.
The Deputy Minister stated that the detained individuals face charges carrying a maximum sentence of nine years’ imprisonment.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs officers have arrested Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, and Lasha Beridze. They are accused of inciting a violent overthrow of Georgia’s constitutional order and attempting to topple the government. Additionally, they are charged with organising, leading, and participating in acts of group violence. These crimes carry a penalty of up to nine years in prison.
Based on evidence collected by law enforcement and the analysis of video footage circulated through various channels, it has been established that during the ongoing rally at Freedom Square, the organisers issued calls for violence, some of which occurred even before October 4 of this year.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs repeatedly urged rally participants to keep the demonstration peaceful and within legal limits. Nevertheless, following these violent incitements, several rally participants and organisers broke through the barriers at the Presidential Palace on Atoneli Street and attempted to seize the premises. The investigation is ongoing under Articles 317, 322, 222, 225, and 187 of the Criminal Code,” Darakhvelidze explained.