The prosecution witness, Giorgi Tshelidze, an employee of the Special State Protection Service, was questioned at the Tbilisi City Court trial regarding the October 4 protest.

Tshelidze recounted the events near the Presidential Palace on that day:

“First, journalists arrived at the palace, followed by demonstration participants. Despite repeated instructions that this is a protected area and that entry was illegal, they still entered. They began physically and verbally abusing staff. A clash developed for several minutes. We tried to hold them back as best we could. Soon, a second group joined the demonstration. This second incursion was led by Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, and Irakli Nadiradze. Within a minute or two, employees of the Special Tasks Department came out of the building. Our employees also sustained injuries,,” Tshelidze testified.