“The sentence handed down to those detained on October 4 is not an act of justice. It is a political reprisal orchestrated by the regime, which has nothing to do with the law,” stated the “Opposition Alliance” in its commentary on the court’s decision regarding the events of October 4, 2025.
In a statement released by the opposition, it is noted that all those detained are “political prisoners, and today’s decision only increases the regime’s accountability.”
“Our primary means of fighting this lawlessness is peaceful protest! This is why on May 26, Independence Day, we are gathering on Rustaveli Avenue.
This is a struggle for the freedom of our citizens. We await everyone on May 26 at 19:00 – for the sake of victory, together, until the end!” the statement reads.
To recap, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Lasha Beridze, and Paata Manjgaladze (participants and organizers of the October 4 protest) were sentenced to 7 years in prison each; Tornike Mchedlishvili, Nika Gventsadze, and Irakli Chkhvirkia were sentenced to 5 years; and Irakli Shaishmelashvili was sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Sentences handed down to participants of the October 4, 2025 events