Georgian Parliament Speaker questions EU response after October 4 court verdict in Georgia

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday commented on a recent court verdict related to the October 4 case, saying the ruling has legally confirmed the guilt of individuals involved in what he described as an organised attempt to overthrow the government.

Papuashvili stated that the court decision provides a definitive legal assessment of the events, arguing that until now the government had only offered political interpretations.

“From today we have a solid legal court document regarding what we were dealing with on October 4”, he said, adding that the judiciary has now formally defined the nature of the incident.

He further escalated criticism toward the European Union, claiming that political responsibility for the attempt lies with Brussels.

Papuashvili accused EU institutions of having previously expressed support for what he described as “pre-announced violence”, including reactions from European politicians during the events.

He specifically referenced statements made during the unrest, including comments from members of the European Parliament and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, claiming they expressed support for actions taken during the incident.

Papuashvili said the government expects a response from the European Union, questioning what he called the bloc’s “value-based stance” on violence and government overthrow attempts.

He also directly addressed the EU Ambassador to Georgia, calling for an official apology on behalf of the EU.

“We expect an answer from the EU regarding October 4”, he said, adding that EU ambassador Paweł Herczyński should apologize for not condemning the violence against the presidential residence.

He further asked whether the EU would formally apologize to Georgia’s president for what he described as encouragement or failure to condemn the violence in the months following the incident.

Tbilisi City Court on Thursday sentenced several defendants in the October 4 case to prison terms ranging from two to seven years.

According to the ruling, Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, and Paata Manjgaladze were each sentenced to seven years in prison.

Other defendants in the same case also received prison sentences. Lasha Beridze was sentenced to seven years, Irakli Shaishmelashvili to two years, Irakli Chkhvirkia to five years, while Tornike Mchedlishvili, Guri Zhvania, and Nika Gventsadze were each sentenced to five years imprisonment.

On October 4, 2025, 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 offence 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”.