Bacho Akhalaia, former Minister of Defense of Georgia, has been detained on suspicion of organizing and leading mass riots that took place in Tbilisi on October 4, 2025, the day of the municipal elections. At that time, demonstrators attempted to storm the presidential residence. Authorities have described these events as an organized attempt to change the constitutional order and seize state power. In several instances, the protests escalated into clashes with law enforcement, which officials qualified as an attempt at a violent takeover of power.

According to law enforcement agencies, the State Security Service established digital traces of Akhalaia’s online communications with other organizers of the October 4 events, which investigators believe were used for conspiratorial coordination within the group.

A representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges include organizing and leading group violence, public calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order, and attempts to seize a strategically important facility—the presidential palace. These charges carry a possible sentence of up to 9 years in prison.

The Tbilisi City Court ordered pretrial detention, granting the prosecutor’s request. The hearing was held behind closed doors, which prompted protests from Akhalaia. He expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision and refused to participate in an open hearing.

Akhalaia’s wife, Anna Nadareishvili, was also initially detained but was later released from custody while the investigation into her possible involvement in the events continues.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented on the detention, calling it part of preventive measures against attempts to “return sadism to power,” and emphasized that if a crime was indeed committed, the investigation must be brought to completion.

It should be noted that Bacho Akhalaia served as Georgia’s Minister of Defense during the presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili (2009–2012) and also held the post of Minister of Internal Affairs. He had previously been convicted of abuse of prisoners and sentenced to nine years in prison, from which he was released in March 2022 after serving his term.

Akhalaia’s detention is one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Georgia in recent months. It reflects deep political divisions within the country and has sparked intense public debate. The case remains under investigation and may have significant consequences for Georgian politics in the coming months.

#GEORGIA

27.12.2025 09:44