Strategy Aghmashenebeli’s Manjgaladze denies organizing October 4 rally, calls released video a performance

The trial of ten individuals arrested in connection with the events near the Presidential Palace on October 4 is currently underway at the Tbilisi City Court.

The defendants face charges of attempting to seize a strategic facility, organizing group violence, and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.

All defendants, except Paata Burchuladze and Irakli Shaishmelashvili, are attending the hearings. Burchuladze himself has refused to appear.

The trial is currently focused on reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, including video footage broadcast on television showing a briefing by members of the so-called Organizing Committee.

Following the presentation of the video, defendant Paata Manjgaladze addressed the court, denying any wrongdoing.

“We haven’t even been interrogated properly. I want the investigation to see the full picture, not edited clips. What they are accusing us of has nothing to do with reality. That day, journalists asked me to comment, and everyone was present. If I hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t appear in the video. There was no prior planning or intent. Everyone will confirm this,” Manjgaladze said.

He added that the video in question was merely a recording requested by others and that no discussion of overthrowing the government or inciting violence took place. “I am a politician and regularly interact with the media. I have never organized a rally or planned violence. No one would bring a 14-year-old to such an event. If the system wants to declare someone guilty, it will, but there is no proof against us,” he stated.

The defendants in the case are Paata Burchuladze, Paata Manjgaladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Lasha Beridze, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, Irakli Chkhvirkia, Guri Zhvania, Nika Gventsadze, and Tornike Mchedlishvili.

On October 4, a video was released in which Paata Burchuladze introduced the organizing committee for the rally, naming Nadiradze, Zodelava, Beridze, and Manjgaladze as members. In the video, Burchuladze stated: “We are the people who are organizing this. I beg everyone, the next steps must come to us, we must all follow them and they will lead us to victory. Fight to the end. Don’t forget the flags, victory is ours.”