Prosecutor: Seven defendants in Presidential Palace storming case request plea bargain; Prosecutor’s Office consents to imminent release

According to prosecutor Lasha Tskvitaria, seven of the twelve individuals detained in connection with the storming of the Presidential Palace have approached the prosecution to request a plea bargain.

The prosecutor noted that the defendants have fully admitted their guilt, prompting the Prosecutor’s Office to consent to the plea agreements.

“Today, the examination of evidence from both the prosecution and the defence concluded in the Presidential Palace storming case. The hearing has been adjourned ahead of closing arguments. Furthermore, within this case, where twelve individuals face prosecution, five defendants initially submitted formal requests seeking a plea bargain. According to their applications, all five admit to and repent their actions. They reiterated this stance during the court session. In addition, just before the proceedings commenced, a further two defendants submitted requests for a plea bargain. Consequently, at this stage, seven of the twelve defendants admit their guilt and express genuine remorse. The prosecution has expressed its readiness and consent to enter into plea bargains with them. All seven defendants will be handed suspended sentences under these plea agreements and will be released from the courtroom in the very near future.

As soon as the plea bargain is approved, the seven defendants will walk free from the courtroom. The plea agreement entails a three-year suspended sentence. The defendants have fully admitted to and repented of the acts with which they were charged. Their criminal actions are clearly captured on video. Consequently, it is irrefutably proven that these individuals participated in the violent acts perpetrated in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace. Their confession will stand on a factual level, exactly as they voiced it during today’s hearing. There is no need for them to give further testimony, given that the factual circumstances are already firmly established by the evidence examined during the trial.

As is well known, the case is being heard in court across five separate episodes. An additional three criminal cases are being tried under separate proceedings. Within those cases as well, several defendants have already approached the state prosecution to request plea bargains. I can confirm that some of these requests have been granted, and the defence lawyers will be notified of this progressively at the next hearing.

Therefore, there is a reasonable expectation that in the near future, individuals charged in the other criminal cases will also be released on suspended sentences. At the next hearing, a formal motion will be submitted to sever these cases into separate proceedings. The case against these seven individuals will be separated and handed over to another judge, who will review the approval of the plea bargain. Procedurally, this will take some time, but I expect that it should not drag on past next week,” Lasha Tskvitaria stated.