Georgian State Security Service detains ex-Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia over government overthrow attempt

Georgia’s State Security Service on Thursday arrested Bacho Akhalaia, the former Defence Minister under the previous United National Movement Government, in connection with the criminal case related to the events of October 4 in Tbilisi - the attempted government overthrow.

According to the Service, the investigation established that Akhalaia coordinated the October 4 events through internet-based applications.

The criminal case under investigation also concerns the illegal acquisition and storage of large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices during the same period. One suspect in that case, Beka Chulukhadze, has already been charged, while investigators are examining links between the weapons case and an attempt to overthrow the government, as well as the possible involvement of Akhalaia, Lasha Shergelashvili, and other individuals.

The Service stated that numerous investigative actions were carried out, including the analysis of internet traffic data with minute- and second-level precision. Based on court-authorised seizures and expert analysis, investigators identified extensive internet-based communications conducted via mobile applications between the alleged organizers.

The Service claims that between September 28, 2025, at 21:00 and the time of arrests, a total of 343 internet sessions were recorded between key figures and IP addresses registered at the current residence of Akhalaia’s wife, Anna Nadareishvili. These included frequent contacts with Murtaz Zodelava (157 sessions), Paata Burchuladze (110), Paata Manjgaladze (29), Lasha Beridze (26), and Irakli Nadiradze (21).

According to the investigation, on October 4 specifically, several internet communications occurred shortly before and during key moments of the protests, including just minutes before demonstrators began marching toward Freedom Square and later before public speeches containing calls for violence. Investigators say the timing of these contacts provides strong grounds to conclude that Akhalaia was directing events remotely.

The briefing also noted that after an audio recording circulated in the media - purportedly capturing a conversation between Akhalaia and Paata Burchuladze about overthrowing the government - the form of communication changed.

Investigators believe that subsequent contacts, officially recorded as occurring between Murtaz Zodelava and a third party, Zviad Gagua, in fact masked continued communication with Akhalaia. Gagua, Akhalaia, and Nadareishvili have all been questioned and confirmed that Gagua is a close associate of the Akhalaia family and lives in the same household.

Based on the evidence obtained, the Service stated that the identity of the main organizer of the October 4 events in Georgia has been conclusively established, leading to the arrest of Bacho Akhalaia.

The arrested former Minister and the criminal case will be transferred to the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for formal charges and further investigation. Akhalaia’s wife, Anna Nadareishvili, who was detained together with him, has been released. The Service said the investigation will later assess, based on existing or new evidence, whether she played any role in the crimes.

The agency emphasised that Nadareishvili’s release was decided despite Akhalaia’s refusal to give any testimony, including answering whether his wife had any involvement, a stance which, according to the Service, does not rule out her potential complicity.

Prior to the arrest, law enforcement officers conducted investigative actions at Akhalaia’s residence. It was also recalled that on October 10, Akhalaia had been questioned as a witness at the Central Criminal Police Department and provided a voice sample as part of the investigation into a leaked telephone recording allegedly involving a conversation between him and Paata Burchuladze related to the October 4 events