Prosecutor’s Office files charges against UNM’s Kuprava for inciting overthrow and resisting authorities

The Prosecutor’s Office has formally charged the United National Movement’s member of Tbilisi Sakrebulo (City Council), Zviad Kuprava, with inciting the overthrow of the state government and resisting law enforcement officials.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, these charges could result in a prison sentence of up to six years.

“The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has charged an individual with calling for the overthrow of the state government and resisting a government official. An investigation conducted by the State Security Service revealed that on September 30, a member of the Tbilisi Sakrebulo (City Council) uploaded a video onto the social media platform Facebook, in which he publicly called for the overthrow of the government and discussed specific violent actions planned for October 4, the day of the elections.

Furthermore, the accused violently resisted officers of the State Security Service during his detention in accordance with a judge’s ruling on October 1. The individual has been charged under Article 353, Part 1, and Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, namely, incitement to overthrow the state power and resisting a law enforcement officer. These offences carry a maximum sentence of six years’ imprisonment.

The Prosecutor’s Office has announced its intention to submit a motion to the court within the legal timeframe, requesting that the accused be held in custody pending trial,” the statement read.