Businessman and animal rights activist Tamaz Elizbarashvili, charged under Article 151 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (making threats), has concluded a plea agreement with the prosecution. The founder of a prominent dog shelter was convicted and released directly in the courtroom. Elizbarashvili received a 9-month suspended prison sentence with a one-year probation period, as well as a fine of 50,000 GEL (approximately $20,000) payable to the state budget.
According to prosecutor Goga Kakochashvili, it was Elizbarashvili himself and his defense attorneys who petitioned the agency for a plea bargain.
“The defendant voluntarily admitted guilt and expressed remorse for the crime committed. With the participation of his lawyers, he submitted an application to the prosecutor’s office requesting a plea agreement, and this agreement was concluded on the basis of his confession and remorse. Tamaz Elizbarashvili is required to report to the probation authorities once a week,” the prosecutor stated.
The incident that led to the criminal case against the businessman occurred on the evening of August 30 at the Skhva restaurant. According to Elizbarashvili, he had a verbal altercation with employees of the pro-government television channel Imedi, who then filed a complaint against him. The prosecutor’s office later released surveillance camera footage, stating that after the initial dispute, the entrepreneur left the restaurant and subsequently returned armed. While no firearm is visible in the video, the businessman is seen holding his hand against his waistband.
When asked by journalists whether Elizbarashvili was indeed armed, Goga Kakochashvili replied:
“The investigation established that the defendant demonstrated a weapon, the victims experienced fear, and on this basis, he was indicted under the article concerning threats.”
Following his release, Tamaz Elizbarashvili maintained that he had indeed threatened seven staff members of the Imedi television network who, “while I was alone with my wife at the restaurant, verbally insulted me.”
“Specifically, I said: ‘I will take my wife away and come back.’ I walked my wife out and came back downstairs, but they didn’t wait for me—they got scared. Why would I need a weapon? I tame huge dogs—dogs with psychological trauma and rabid ones.
I walk around the city with my wife and children, and to prevent such things from recurring… Seven men were pressing me for 15 minutes right in front of my wife, and I could not allow myself to be beaten up there. I told them: ‘I will see my wife out and come back down.’ How would it look if seven drunk men beat me up in front of my wife? <…>
I will say one thing addressed to those seven guys: do not be afraid of running into me on the street. I have no intention of locking myself up at home; I have to walk the streets. And when they see me, let them not be afraid, let them not run to the police again filing statements saying: ‘We got scared upon seeing Elizbarashvili,’” the businessman stated.