Twelve more defendants in October 4 case secure plea bargains

A further 12 individuals detained in connection with the October 4 case have reached plea bargains with the prosecution.

The plea agreements for 11 of the defendants entail a one-year custodial sentence alongside a three-year suspended sentence. Meanwhile, one defendant, Giorgi Kirvalidze, was handed a one-year-and-six-month prison sentence and a three-year suspended sentence under his agreement. According to the prosecutor, Kirvalidze already held a prior conviction from a separate criminal case.

Specifically, the following individuals entered guilty pleas and secured plea bargains: Giorgi Kirvalidze, Simon Makharadze, Kakhaber Kvachantiradze, Gia Toloraia, Mikheil Toloraia, Avtandil Topchishvili, Yuri Lomidze, David Giunashvili, Giorgi Talakhadze, Beka Machavariani, Saba Kordaia, and Koba Epitashvili.

The defendants faced charges under multiple counts, including participating in group violence and the attempted group seizure of a strategic facility of special importance. These offences carry a maximum penalty of up to six years’ imprisonment.

In contrast, another individual detained under this specific episode of the case, Manuchar Mikeladze, rejected a plea bargain. Following a court ruling, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

In total, 64 individuals have faced criminal prosecution in connection with the events of October 4, including politicians detained on charges of organising group violence; some have already been sentenced, while plea bargains have been finalised with 34 defendants to date.