GYLA challenges conviction of defendant in case over storming of Georgia’s presidential palace
According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the case against Paata Manjgaladze, one of the leaders of the opposition Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, who was convicted in the so-called “4 October case”, lacks sufficient evidence that he planned, organised or led group violence.
In a detailed assessment, the association says the prosecution has failed to distinguish Manjgaladze’s political activities from any alleged involvement in violent acts.
In particular, it has presented no evidence linking him to the violence outside the presidential palace in Tbilisi.
On 4 October 2025, Georgia held local government elections. Much of the opposition boycotted the vote and staged a large-scale protest in Tbilisi that day. The demonstration ended with an attempt to storm the presidential palace.
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GYLA argues that these claims are not substantiated by Manjgaladze’s previous political statements either, as some of them are undated and the circumstances in which they were made remain unclear.
“A political or organisational connection to a protest cannot in itself constitute grounds for liability for organising violence unless the defendant’s specific contribution is established,” GYLA writes.
Paata Manjgaladze is the secretary-general of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party and a former member of the Georgian parliament. On 4 October 2025, he took part in a protest in Tbilisi. Prosecutors accused him of organising group violence and leading it. On 7 May 2026, a court found him guilty and sentenced him to seven years in prison. His case is now before the Tbilisi Court of Appeal.
What Manjgaladze is accused of
Prosecutors charged Paata Manjgaladze on 6 October 2025. According to their account, he and other opposition figures arrested in connection with the case had urged citizens to overthrow the government by force. On 4 October, they then decided to organise group violence.
Opera singer Paata Burchuladze, who organised the rally and was later arrested in the same case, announced the plan at the protest. Murtaz Zodelava, a member of the United National Movement party, then called on the crowd to march towards the presidential palace and seize it.
To support the charges, prosecutors cite witness testimony, media reports, written documents, expert assessments, audio and video recordings from the scene, as well as objects found there and damaged equipment. The investigation also relied on search and seizure records and other materials gathered during the inquiry.
The prosecution maintains that this evidence is sufficient to establish the defendants’ involvement in the crime.
However, it remains unclear which specific pieces of evidence relate directly to Manjgaladze. In GYLA’s assessment, the indictment does not adequately explain what specific actions Manjgaladze himself took or what evidence demonstrates his involvement in the crime.
GYLA argues that political activity, attendance at a protest, a photograph with other organisers or a particular sequence of events cannot, in themselves, justify charging someone with organising group violence. This is especially important when the defendant is a politician. The charges must leave no doubt that the prosecution is not politically motivated.
Чего требует GYLA от Апелляционного суда
GYLA призывает Апелляционный суд проверить, какое конкретно действие приписывается Манджгаладзе, какие доказательства это подтверждают и как были оценены аргументы стороны защиты.
GYLA также отмечает, что по делу представил свое заключение народный защитник (омбудсмен), по мнению которого также не вырисовывается конкретная роль Манджгаладзе в организации группового насилия, а лишь упоминание его в качестве организатора акции недостаточно для привлечения к уголовной ответственности.
Организация считает, что если Апелляционный суд разделяет позиции GYLA и Народного защитника и для этого будут существовать правовые основания, он должен вынести в отношении Манджгаладзе оправдательный приговор.
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Criminal proceedings have been launched against 64 people in connection with the events of 4 October. Prosecutors charged those detained with organising group violence, leading it or taking part in it, attempting to seize a strategic facility, and calling for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order. The case was divided into several separate proceedings.
The first-instance trials have now concluded. Of the 64 defendants:
- One person was fined;
- 29 people were sentenced to prison terms, three of them in absentia;
- 12 defendants had their sentences reduced under plea agreements;
- 22 people received suspended sentences under plea agreements and avoided prison.
