Prosecutor: opposition leader Murtaz Zodelava admits attempt to seize strategic facility in Government overthrow case
Photo: Screenshot from Video
A court session was held on Thursday concerning some of the organisers accused in the case of attempting to overthrow the Government. Defendant Paata Burjuladze was absent from the hearing.
During the session, the opposition leaders Paata Manjgaladze, Murtaz Zodelava, and Irakli Nadiradze spoke.
The prosecution presented specific video evidence as part of the case. Despite the evidence and concrete facts presented, the defendants continued to defend themselves and did not plead guilty.
Prosecutor Tamar Bezhuashvili told journalists that Murtaz Zodelava essentially admitted to attempting to seize a strategic facility.
“During today’s court hearing of those detained for attempting to overthrow the Government, the prosecution examined video evidence, including that of the organisers, as well as evidence concerning specific individuals. Murtaz Zodelava essentially admitted to the attempt to seize a strategic facility”, the prosecutor stated.
On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.
Authorities detained five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.
Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.
All News
03 April 2026, 12:23
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official slams opposition’s Independence Day rally as “tragicomic”
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday criticised the opposition's plans to hold a rally on Georgia’s Independence Day, labeling the move “tragicomic”.
03 April 2026, 12:11
Politics
Global instability raises stakes for Georgia, warns Georgia’s ruling party official
Georgia is confronting the same fundamental challenges as the rest of the world - maintaining peace, ensuring economic stability, and pursuing development amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, said on Thursday Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body.
03 April 2026, 12:02
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official accuses opposition of seeking to destabilise country
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday accused the domestic opposition of deliberately attempting to destabilise the country, deepen internal divisions, and undermine both peace-focused policy and the national economy.
02 April 2026, 20:30
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgian Gov’t pursues peace-focused policy amid global challenges
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and chair of the Parliament’s committee on procedural issues and rules, on Thursday said that in response to the ongoing global challenges, the Georgian government was pursuing a policy strictly focused on peace.
02 April 2026, 19:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament official accuses NGO representatives of deliberately undermining country
Irakli Kadagishvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s regional policy and self-government committee, on Thursday addressed recent statements made by domestic NGO members before the Dutch Parliament, accusing them of deliberately attempting to undermine the country.
02 April 2026, 15:51
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen reiterates Georgian Government’s readiness to reset relations with United States
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday reiterated Georgian Government's readiness to reset relations with the United States, expressing optimism that the bilateral partnership will move past recent tensions.
02 April 2026, 15:34
Foreign policy
Georgian President highlights commitment to EU integration, criticises Brussels bureaucracy
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and the European Union, emphasising that Tbilisi has not walked away from the negotiating table.
02 April 2026, 14:15
Foreign policy
Georgian President says Georgia’s role as key Middle Corridor hub gains importance in changing geopolitical landscape
Maintaining the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation between our countries significantly relies on continuing high-level meetings, said on Thursday Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili.
02 April 2026, 14:09
Foreign policy
Georgian President: Georgia and Slovakia share common vision based on peace, stability, protection of national interests
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday emphasised that Georgia and Slovakia were sharing a common vision based on peace, stability, and protection of national interests.
02 April 2026, 13:44
Foreign policy
Slovak President says Georgia plays key role in stabilising South Caucasus region
Slovakia highly appreciates the open cooperation between Georgia and Slovakia in the United Nations and other international organisations, said on Thursday the Slovak president Peter Pellegrini.
02 April 2026, 13:33
Foreign policy
Slovakia fully respects Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, says Slovak President
Slovakia fully respects the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, said on Thursday Slovak president Peter Pellegrini following a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Kavelashvili.
02 April 2026, 13:22
Foreign policy
Georgian, Slovak Presidents discuss successful cooperation
Successful cooperation between Georgia and Slovakia as well as the deepening of the existing dialogue between the two nations were discussed on Thursday in a face-to-face meeting between the Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili, who is on an official visit to Bratislava, and his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini.
02 April 2026, 12:20
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker criticises media sanction as threat to freedom of expression
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday criticised recent British sanctions targeting Imedi TV, describing them as a direct assault on media freedom and a repeat of historical attempts to silence the broadcaster.
02 April 2026, 12:07
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker warns against painting all MEPs with the same brush
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday called for a more nuanced view of the European Parliament, stating that not all of its members should be judged uniformly, as alternative opinions are increasingly being voiced in support of Georgia’s statehood and freedom.
02 April 2026, 11:18
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker calls Rubio-Kobakhidze call “highly significant” for Georgia-US relations
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday described the recent phone call between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze as “highly significant”, expressing cautious optimism about the future of bilateral relations.
02 April 2026, 11:08
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Slovakia-Georgia relations showing strong positive momentum
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said that the relations between Slovakia and Georgia were experiencing a very positive dynamic, emphasising that the ongoing visit of the Georgian president to Bratislava served as a clear reflection of this growing cooperation.
01 April 2026, 20:48
Society
“Beyond all moral boundaries”: Georgia’s National Food Agency slams false allegations of burning stray animals
The National Food Agency of Georgia (NFA) on Wednesday issued a stern response to recent allegations regarding the mistreatment of stray animals, describing claims of burning live animals as “completely groundless” and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
01 April 2026, 18:38
Politics
Georgian President departs for official visit to Slovakia
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili has departed on an official visit to Slovakia, where he will hold high-level meetings with Slovak leadership in Bratislava.
01 April 2026, 17:03
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgia ready to outline joint roadmap with US at any time
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Wednesday reviewed the prospects of rebooting Georgia-United States relations.
01 April 2026, 16:57
Economy
Georgian Parliament official: despite economic and geopolitical challenges, Georgia continues to progress
New data from the Adjusted Global Adaptation Index has placed Georgia among the world’s top ten performers, specifically ranking the nation in the top five globally for economic readiness.