Former Georgian defence minister Bacho Akhalaia arrested
Ex-Georgian interior minister Bacho Akhalaia arrested
Georgia’s State Security Service has detained former defence minister Bacho Akhalaia, who served under President Mikheil Saakashvili, in connection with the events of 4 October.
On 4 October 2025, municipal elections were held in Georgia amid protests. A mass demonstration on election day ended with an attempted storming of the presidential residence and police intervention. Despite the unrest, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured victory in the elections.
According to the State Security Service, Akhalaia was the “main organiser” of the 4 October rally. His wife, Ani Nadareishvili, was also detained but later released.
At a briefing, the State Security Service explained that the investigation into the former defence minister relates to the illegal purchase and possession of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, alongside the events of 4 October. The agency suggested this could be linked to an attempt to overthrow the government.
The case also involves Beka Chulukhadze, Murtaz Zodelava, Paata Burchuladze, Paata Mandjgaladze, Lasha Beridze, and others.
According to the service, an analysis of internet traffic carried out during the investigation “down to the minute and second” established that Akhalaia and other suspects in organising the 4 October events maintained active communication via mobile internet applications.
The authorities said these connections were made using an IP address registered to Akhalaia’s wife, Ani Nadareishvili.
Data presented at the briefing indicated that between 28 September 2025 and Akhalaia’s arrest, a total of 343 internet sessions were recorded: 157 with Murtaz Zodelava, 110 with Paata Burchuladze, 29 with Paata Mandjgaladze, 26 with Lasha Beridze, and 21 with Irakli Nadiraidze. The service said that on 4 October, several of these connections preceded or coincided with the movements of protesters and violent incidents.
The authorities have paid particular attention to messages sent on the evening of 4 October, which, according to the State Security Service, coincided with the start of the protest march on Freedom Square, clashes near the presidential residence, and the chanting of political slogans. The agency claims that during this period, Lasha Beridze was near the presidential palace receiving instructions from Bacho Akhalaia.
The service said that after an audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation between Akhalaia and Paata Burchuladze about overthrowing the government was published, the method of communication changed. Active contact was then recorded between Murtaz Zodelava and Zviad Gagua. Investigators said this communication was effectively carried out by Akhalaia himself, as Gagua is a relative of his and lives with him.
The State Security Service maintains that the evidence “unequivocally confirms” the identity of the main organiser of the 4 October events in Georgia — Bacho Akhalaia — which led to his arrest. The case will be handed over to the Interior Ministry for further investigation.
Akhalaia’s wife, Ana Nadareishvili, described the briefing as “complete nonsense” in an interview with Pirveli TV. She said the agency had neither her husband’s phone number nor information about who lived in their home. Nadareishvili also recounted the arrest, claiming that around 30 armed, masked law enforcement officers stormed their house and forcibly took her phone.
Ex-Georgian interior minister Bacho Akhalaia arrested
