Murtaz Zodelava, one of the organizers of the mass protest on October 4, 2025, has been released from prison. Journalists met him at the exit of Penitentiary Facility No. 12. In response to their questions, Zodelava stated that he no longer has any political plans.
Earlier, the opposition figure reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. A prerequisite for this agreement is an admission of guilt.
Under the terms of the deal, the convict was sentenced to 3 years and 1 month of imprisonment, of which 1 year and 1 month was to be served as actual prison time in a penitentiary facility, with the remaining 2 years suspended.
Murtaz Zodelava was a member of the “October 4 Organizing Committee.” He faced charges under three articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia: an attempted group takeover of facilities of strategic importance; organizing and leading group violence; and calling for the overthrow of state power. On May 7, 2026, Zodelava was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
As a reminder, on October 4, 2025, coinciding with municipal elections in Georgia, a mass protest took place in central Tbilisi, dubbed by the opposition as the “National Assembly.” During the rally, a declaration was read out proclaiming the termination of the authorities’ mandate and the start of a peaceful transition period. Shortly thereafter, part of the opposition and its supporters marched toward the presidential residence, where protesters tore down a fence and attempted to breach the Orbeliani Palace. The demonstration was dispersed by riot police.
