Paata Burchuladze, convicted in the case concerning the attempted storming on October 4, 2025, stated in the Tbilisi Court of Appeals that he was the one who organized the protest outside the palace on Atoneli Street.
He noted that the demonstration was supposed to be peaceful, but was disrupted by a provocation. Burchuladze also emphasized that opposition politician Paata Manjgaladze, who is also a defendant in this case, was not involved in organizing the event.
“I was the organizer of the October 4 protest. If not for the provocation, everything would have been very peaceful. Paata Manjgaladze was not involved in the organization at all. I am happy that it was me who organized the October 4 rally,” Burchuladze stated.
Notably, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals is continuing to hear the appeal against the verdict in the case of the October 4 events. Earlier, the court of first instance sentenced 10 defendants in the case to prison terms ranging from two to seven years. The defense has appealed the ruling.
The court of first instance sentenced:
- Lasha Beridze — to 7 years in prison;
- Murtaz Zodelava — to 7 years;
- Paata Burchuladze — to 7 years;
- Irakli Nadiradze — to 7 years;
- Paata Manjgaladze — to 7 years;
- Tornike Mchedlishvili — to 5 years;
- Guri Zhvania — to 5 years;
- Nika Gventsadze — to 5 years;
- Irakli Chkhvirkia — to 5 years;
- Irakli Shaishmelashvili — to 2 years in prison.
The defense has appealed these sentences in the court of appeals.