The Tbilisi City Court has remanded in custody a former unit head from the Special Operations Department of the State Security Service (SSG) and an officer from the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), both accused in a physical violence case involving opposition politician Levan Khabeishvili. The decision was delivered by Tbilisi City Court Judge Jvebe Nachkebia.
As a reminder, as part of an investigation into the events that occurred during the 2024 protests, the prosecutor’s office detained five individuals in connection with violence against protester Zviad Maisashvili. During today’s hearing, the court reviewed the pre-trial detention measure for the defendants but ruled to keep them in custody.
Five people were detained as part of the investigation into the events during the 2024 protests in a case concerning the use of violence against protester Zviad Maisashvili, opposition politician Levan Khabeishvili, and journalist Guram Rogava.
Among those detained are three former officers and one active member of special operations units, as well as an active officer from the Security Police Department of the MIA.
Two of the former special forces officers are already in custody in connection with other criminal cases.
All five have been charged under Subparagraph “b” of Part 3 of Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which establishes liability for exceeding official authority through the use of violence.
In addition, one of the defendants involved in the episode concerning journalist Guram Rogava faces an additional charge under Part 2 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for unlawful interference with the professional activities of a journalist committed with the use of violence.
The charges carry a potential penalty of five to eight years’ imprisonment.
