The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has released official information regarding the indictment of Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia – Lelo coalition.

According to the agency, charges have been filed against Elisashvili for attempting to commit a terrorist act in the Tbilisi City Court.

The Prosecutor’s Office reports that Elisashvili has been charged under Part 1 of Article 19-323 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the attempted commission of a terrorist act and carries a potential sentence of 10 to 15 years in prison.

“A joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has determined that on November 29, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Aleksandre Elisashvili, armed with a firearm, ammunition, and items intended for committing a terrorist act, and wearing a mask, approached the Tbilisi City Court building. He used a hammer to break the glass facade of the court registry building and unlawfully entered the building.

After entering the premises, Elisashvili poured a large amount of flammable liquid across various parts of the interior, including on items and official documentation, and attempted to ignite the substance.

During this process, employees of the court bailiff service encountered Elisashvili. Upon seeing one of the bailiffs, he attacked him and began to beat him. As officers attempted to arrest him, three bailiff service employees worked to neutralise Elisashvili, prevent the ignition of the flammable substance, and disarm him. The attacker repeatedly attempted to draw and use his firearm.

Elisashvili resisted the bailiffs for approximately five to six minutes before he was finally subdued and detained,” reads the statement by the Prosecutor’s Office.