Two Protesters Arrested on Violence Charges in Tbilisi
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, August 18, 2025
Police have detained protesters Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze on charges of group violence during a rally outside the Georgian parliament earlier this month. The Interior Ministry announced on August 16 that the two men allegedly assaulted Beka Gotsiridze during the August 1 protest on Rustaveli Avenue.
The ministry said the confrontation took place "on the basis of mutual dispute" and that Toshkhua and Shervashidze were charged under Article 126-1¹(b) of the Criminal Code. The article allows for penalties ranging from a fine and community service to as much as two years in prison. Officials added that the investigation is continuing in order to identify other participants.
Authorities also released short video footage showing a man in black approaching demonstrators and being pushed away as a scuffle broke out.
The arrests immediately drew criticism from protesters and opposition figures. Demonstrations have continued daily on Rustaveli Avenue for more than 260 days, with activists demanding closer ties to the European Union and condemning the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Activist Beka Papashvili argued that Gotsiridze provoked the crowd. He said Gotsiridze had "frequently insulted protesters on social media" and claimed that during the rally he attempted to pull out a knife. According to Papashvili, the weapon was dropped and later handed over to police by demonstrators.
Girchi - More Freedom member Gela Khasaia posted on social media what he described as a TikTok video recorded by Gotsiridze after the incident. In the clip, Gotsiridze says protesters "came at [him]" but "could not do anything" and recalls insulting them before leaving the scene.
Opposition groups said the arrests reflect selective justice. "The regime has sent "titushky" to Rustaveli to stir disorder. One of them was a failed footballer, Georgian Dream titushka Beka Gotsiridze, who went to the rally with a knife and staged a provocation," Girchi - More Freedom stated. "In a normal country, they would have punished Beka Gotsiridze, but the regime detained two innocent rally participants."
