Seven defendants in Georgia's '4 October case' sentenced to five years in prison
A court in Georgia has convicted and sentenced seven people to five years in prison in connection with the so-called “4 October case”.
Georgia held municipal elections on 4 October 2025. The vote coincided with a renewed escalation of the country’s political crisis.
Several opposition leaders organised a mass anti-government rally in central Tbilisi, declaring their intention to carry out a “peaceful revolution”. They urged demonstrators to march to the presidential palace and occupy it.
Several groups of protesters followed the call. They managed to enter the palace grounds, but police and special forces had already arrived at the scene. Officers dispersed the protest and detained both the organisers and participants involved in the attempted takeover.
Details of those convicted
- Giorgi Chakhunashvili, a 72-year-old doctor, appears in footage from the scene providing assistance to injured people. However, at one of the hearings, the prosecutor argued that Chakhunashvili had also been present inside the grounds of the presidential palace.
- Zakro Albutashvili is a construction worker, military veteran and former footballer who suffers from cancer.
- David Zhghenti appears in footage showing him arriving at the protest carrying a balloon. The case file contains no video evidence that prosecutors could directly use against him.
- Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, a taxi driver, appears in footage included in the case materials standing outside the grounds of the presidential residence.
- David Sturua is the sole breadwinner for his family. In video footage, he approaches the palace fence, shakes it for a few seconds and then walks away.
- Konstantin Kokaia suffers from serious heart conditions and has partially lost his eyesight in prison. Footage broadcast by the Public Broadcaster shows him inside the residence grounds, moving along the fence for several seconds.
- Ia Darakhvelidze was initially released on bail because of epileptic seizures. The case file includes footage showing her arguing with another demonstrator. In another video, she throws an object towards riot police. She has since left Georgia and will be placed on a wanted list.
Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Konstantin Kokaia, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, David Sturua and David Zhghenti faced charges of attempting the group seizure of a strategic or specially protected facility and participating in organised group violence.
Ia Darakhvelidze faced a charge of participating in organised group violence.
First reactions
Doctor Giorgi Chakhunashvili used his right to make a final statement in court and explained how he came to be inside the presidential residence grounds:
“When I arrived there, I was outside. But when I realised that my professional duty required me to be inside, I went in. I did my job. I remained inside for about 28 seconds. The video shows this. Then I left. I was carrying distilled water and saline solution. I used them for their intended purpose.
The court’s decision is, of course, unjust. The struggle continues,” said Konstantin Chakhunashvili after the verdict against his father was announced.
Levan Mzhavanadze, the son of David Zhghenti, said he would now take his father’s place:
“I expected this decision, of course. Just as all of you did. Everyone knows this was not purely a legal case. It was a political case. A political decision. I will take the place my father occupied. My family and I will accept this sentence as an honour, as a sacrifice for our country.”
The 4 October case
Georgia held local government elections on 4 October 2025. Most opposition groups boycotted the vote.
At the same time, part of the opposition announced a large-scale protest in Tbilisi. The demonstration ended with an attempt to storm the presidential residence.
Around 70 people, including protest organisers and political leaders, were detained in connection with the case. Prosecutors subsequently opened a criminal investigation against them.
In total, authorities launched criminal proceedings against 64 individuals. Investigators later divided the case into several separate episodes.
Twenty-two defendants who admitted guilt reached plea agreements with prosecutors.
Courts have already sentenced 10 people to prison terms, including political leaders and opera singer Paata Burchuladze, one of the protest’s main organisers.
Most received prison sentences ranging from five to seven years.
One of the defendants, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, a former senior official in the Interior Ministry’s Special Tasks Department, is currently in the United States. The court sentenced him in absentia to two years in prison.
New prison sentences in Georgia’s ‘4 October case’
