The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has arrested former Defence Minister of Georgia Bacho Akhalaia (2009-2012).

Bacho Akhalaia’s arrest is connected to the October 4 events, when a group of protesters attempted to storm the Presidential Palace.

The State Security Service of Georgia stated at a briefing that the investigation established that Bacho Akhalaia was directing the October 4 events via internet applications.

Before the SSSG briefing, the media reported that the law enforcement officers had been present at Bacho Akhalaia’s residence.

“As is publicly known, the State Security Service is investigating a criminal case concerning the illegal acquisition and possession of large quantities of weapons, military equipment, and explosive devices. This investigation runs parallel to the well-known criminal events of October 4, 2025, in which the accused Beka Chulukhadze is implicated.

The investigation is examining both the potential link between these activities and the case of attempted state overthrow, as well as the possible involvement of Bachana [Bacho] Akhalaia, Lasha Shergelashvili, and other individuals in the crime.

Numerous investigative measures have been undertaken in this case. Among them, we were able to establish, with a high degree of reliability and pinpoint accuracy to the minute and second, through identifying data from internet traffic and mobile phone internet connections between two individuals via messaging applications. After specialists processed the information obtained under court rulings, it was confirmed that during the October 4 criminal events, these activities were being orchestrated through internet applications, with Bachana Akhalaia identified as the main organiser in Georgia.

To clarify for the public, we can explain in detail that, among the now accused organisers of the October 4 criminal events, there were numerous internet communications via applications and the IP address (commonly referred to as ‘Wi-Fi’) registered to Ana Nadareishvili [spouse of Bacho Akhalaia] at her current residential address.

From 21:00 on September 28, 2025, until their arrests, a total of 343 internet sessions were recorded, including 157 with Murtaz Zodelava, 110 with Paata Burchuladze, 29 with Paata Manjgaladze, 26 with Lasha Beridze, and 21 with Irakli Nadiradze.

Furthermore, while these individuals were organising a crime on a scale already widely known to the public, there were multiple instances of internet contact between Murtaz Zodelava and the IP address registered in the name of Bachana Akhalaia’s wife, Ana Nadareishvili, on October 4, 2025. Specifically, contact occurred at 10:20, 11:35, 11:47, and 16:02.

Significantly, just four minutes after these online interactions, protesters began marching towards Freedom Square. Additional internet sessions were recorded at 17:51 and 18:06. Most noteworthy, and providing strong grounds for drawing appropriate conclusions, is the fact that on October 4, the last contact between Murtaz Zodelava and the IP address registered to Ana Nadareishvili occurred at 18:35, just nine minutes before his and Paata Burchuladze’s violent calls to action at 18:44:11.

On the same day, two telephone internet contacts between Paata Burchuladze and the IP address registered to Ana Nadareishvili are recorded, the first at 09:21 and the second at 17:14. Regarding Lasha Beridze, he had telephone internet contact with Bachana Akhalaia on October 4 during the day at 10:39, and subsequently at 19:20, 19:21, 19:29, 19:32, 19:34, and 19:41. Notably, these internet contacts coincide with the period following the onset of the violent assault on the Presidential Palace. This is particularly significant because Lasha Beridze was present at the Palace at the time and was, therefore, receiving directives from Bachana Akhalaia.

One particularly significant detail is this: after audio recordings allegedly depicting a conversation between Bachana Akhalaia and Paata Burchuladze about overthrowing the government began circulating from various sources, the mode of communication with Murtaz Zodelava changed.

Subsequently, active online contact was recorded between him and the internet applications on citizen Zviad Gagua’s mobile phone. The first such interaction occurred on October 4 at 20:12, with further contacts occurring at 21:09, 21:15, 21:23, and 22:08.

Gagua, like Bachana Akhalaia and Ana Nadareishvili, has been questioned by investigators, and all three confirm that Zviad Gagua is close to the Akhalaia family and resides with them in their house. In this case, it is justified to suspect that the telephone and internet contact was not between Murtaz Zodelava and Zviad Gagua, but rather between Murtaz Zodelava and Bachana Akhalaia.

Notably, among these internet interactions is a connection between Zodelava’s and Gagua’s mobile devices at 20:12:23. Just three minutes later, Murtaz Zodelava reappeared on the scene, presenting a new plan and calling on protesters to advance towards the Georgian Dream central office.

As the evidence clearly shows, this irrefutably confirms the identity of the main organiser of the criminal events of October 4, 2025, in Georgia. Accordingly, Bachana Akhalaia has been arrested. The detained individual and the criminal case will be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for consolidation with another case, to bring charges, and to conduct further investigations.

Regarding Ana Nadareishvili, who was arrested alongside Bachana Akhalaia, a decision has been made to release her from detention. The investigation will continue to assess, based on existing or new evidence, whether she also participated in the crime alongside her husband.

This decision was made despite Bachana Akhalaia’s complete refusal to testify, including his refusal to answer whether he was in contact with other organisers of the crime or if his wife, Ana Nadareishvili, was also involved. This leaves open the possibility of his wife’s complicity in the offence,” was stated at the briefing held by the State Security Service.

On October 10, 2025, former Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia was questioned as a witness at the Central Criminal Police Department, primarily to provide a voice sample as part of the ongoing investigation into the events that occurred in Tbilisi on October 4. The questioning centred around a circulated telephone recording allegedly depicting a conversation between Paata Burchuladze and Bacho Akhalaia.