Georgian businessman Elizbarashvili charged over alleged threats
Elizbarashvili charged with making threats
Prosecutors have charged businessman and animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili, who is known for his outspoken criticism of the government, with making threats. He is accused of an offence under Article 151, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of one year.
According to Elizbarashvili’s lawyer, Lekso Svimonishvili, seven alleged victims are involved in the case. Prosecutors say Elizbarashvili threatened them and that they regarded the threats as genuine.
Svimonishvili said his client categorically rejected the charges and maintained that he was completely innocent.
What do investigators accuse Elizbarashvili of?
According to the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation by the Interior Ministry established that at around 2340 on 30 August, Tamaz Elizbarashvili and one of the alleged victims encountered each other by chance at a restaurant in Tbilisi. A verbal altercation broke out over a comment Elizbarashvili had previously posted on social media about the individual and his family.
According to investigators, during the altercation Elizbarashvili threatened the alleged victim and the people accompanying him. In particular, he allegedly said he would not let the matter rest and would return in about 30 minutes, while demanding that they remain at the restaurant.
“Since the alleged victims knew that Tamaz Elizbarashvili possessed a weapon that could be used against them, they had reasonable grounds to fear for their lives and safety and therefore decided to leave the restaurant.
At around 0020, Tamaz Elizbarashvili returned to the scene intending to carry out his threat. He was armed and attempted to enter the restaurant, conspicuously keeping his hand on a weapon tucked into his waistband. He also continued to threaten and insult the alleged victims. Those who had not managed to leave and remained near the restaurant had reasonable grounds to fear that the threat would be carried out.
Despite being barred by security staff, Tamaz Elizbarashvili nevertheless entered the restaurant premises. After establishing that the alleged victims were no longer there, he left,” the Prosecutor’s Office said.
What does the lawyer say?
According to Elizbarashvili’s lawyer, prosecutors cite comments previously made by the businessman on social media as the reason for the confrontation. However, the defence says the indictment makes no mention of any personal conflict between Elizbarashvili and the alleged victims.
“Mr Tamaz does not admit guilt, and his account of what happened is radically different [from the one presented]. During the incident, he left his wife and children at home to shield them from any potential confrontation and returned alone, believing that if anyone had questions, they could put them to him in person. However, no-one was there when he arrived,” Svimonishvili said.
The case materials also refer to a firearm, although Elizbarashvili denies possessing one illegally. According to his lawyer, he has not at this stage been charged with the illegal acquisition, possession or carrying of a firearm.
Svimonishvili said the only firearm seized during a search of Elizbarashvili’s apartment was officially registered in his name and had been sent for forensic examination.
The defence will ask the court not to impose any pre-trial restrictions on Elizbarashvili. Alternatively, the lawyer will request that he be released on bail.
Prosecutors have not yet specified what pre-trial measure they will ask the court to impose.
Background
On 1 September 2026, Elizbarashvili was placed under administrative arrest for allegedly failing to comply with a lawful police order. His arrest followed searches of his car and home conducted as part of an investigation launched under Articles 151 (threats) and 236 (illegal acquisition, possession and carrying of firearms) of the Criminal Code.
Elizbarashvili said the complaint against him had been filed by employees of the Imedi TV channel, with whom he had a verbal altercation at a restaurant on 30 August. He alleged that the Imedi employees had initiated the confrontation and threatened him over his political views.
