Four people have been convicted in connection with an attempted seizure of the presidential palace in Georgia.
The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Nana Sander to seven years in prison, while Abo Naveriani and Anton Uper received five years each. Mariam Mekantsishvili, who was fined, said she would continue to fight for all those convicted.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," in early May, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced the organizers and participants of the protest that took place on October 4, 2025, the day of municipal elections, to lengthy prison terms. The defense called the sentence politically motivated. In early June, eight defendants in the case of the storming of the Georgian presidential administration building on October 4 were released after reaching a plea bargain. They received three-year suspended sentences in exchange for pleading guilty. On June 19, the Tbilisi City Court announced the verdict, sentencing six defendants – Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Ia Darakhvelidze, Konstantin Kokaia, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, David Sturua, David Zhgenti, and Zakro Albutashvili – to five years in prison. On June 22, eight more people were sentenced to five-year terms. Six of them, who pleaded guilty and entered into plea bargains, were released in the courtroom. On October 4, 2025, the day of municipal elections, thousands of people gathered in central Tbilisi. After opera singer Paata Burchaladze declared that power in Georgia belongs to the people, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces near the presidential palace. Security forces used riot gear, while protesters used firecrackers. Six demonstrators and 21 security forces were hospitalized, and another 30 people received medical treatment on the spot. Police have opened a criminal investigation into calls to overthrow the government, the attack on police officers, and the storming of the palace. Five protest leaders—opera singer Paata Burchuladze, Secretary General of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party Paata Manjgaladze, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Colonel Lasha Beridze, and United National Movement activists Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze—were arrested on charges of organizing group violence, calling for the overthrow of the government, and attempting to seize the presidential palace.
Today, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili convicted Mariam Mekantsishvili, Nana Sander, Abo Naveriani, and Anton Uper in the case related to the events that took place near the Atoneli Palace on October 4, 2025. All four refused to enter into a plea bargain with the prosecutor's office, Interpressnews reported today.
According to the judge's verdict, Mariam Mekantsishvili was sentenced to a fine of 5,000 lari (approximately $1,900), Nana Sander to seven years in prison, and Anton Uper and Abo Naveriani to five years each. Mariam Mekantsishvili, who is free on bail, was not present for the sentencing and awaited the verdict in the courthouse courtyard.
Nana Sander was charged with organizing group violence, which carries a prison sentence of six to nine years. She was also accused of calling for the violent overthrow of Georgia's constitutional order and the government, which carries a prison sentence of up to nine years.
Abo Naveriani and Anton Uper were accused of attempting to seize and blockade strategic and critical facilities by a group of individuals and participating in group violence, while Mariam Mekantsishvili was accused of organizing a group action.
After the verdict was announced, Mariam Mekantsishvili stated that she expected a prison sentence. The activist told reporters that she will continue to fight for the freedom of all those currently imprisoned for participating in the rallies, according to Pirveli TV.
"I was prepared to end up in prison today. Thank you to everyone for your solidarity; it is thanks to you that this result was achieved. I cannot express in words how happy I am about this shocking verdict, but I am glad that, together with my comrades, I will be able to continue the struggle outside of prison and will continue this uncompromising fight even more vigorously. I will fight for all convicted prisoners and will definitely go to Rustaveli Street this evening," Mekantsishvili said.
A total of 64 people have been charged with criminal offenses in connection with the events of October 4. At this stage, the prosecutor's office has agreed to plea bargains for 22 people, according to Georgia Online.
On October 4, 2025, municipal elections were held in all municipalities of Georgia. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream party were elected mayors in all 64 cities where elections were held, receiving 100% of the vote in 26 of them.
Caucasian Knot is posting materials about the recent municipal elections and protests by opposition supporters on the thematic page "Georgia: Elections Amid Protests".