Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Irakli Shaishmelashvili - he is accused of calling for the violent change of the constitutional order of Georgia, overthrow of the Government. Such a statement the Minister of Internal Affairs made at today’s briefing.

“As is known to the public, an intensive investigation is in progress at the Central Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to identify and bring to criminal justice those individuals who committed unlawful, criminal acts in Tbilisi on October 4 - in particular, the attempt to seize the Presidential Palace of Georgia and overthrow the constitutional order by violent measures, in the course of which, several dozen law enforcement officers were injured.

In connection with the aforementioned criminal case, today we have detained another 16 individuals- T.K., G.T., D.G., M.M., I.Gh., A.T., A.V., G.K., G.T., G.Zh., D.Gh., K.Ch., M.T., R.J., S.M., J.T. Within the framework of the ongoing investigation, we have currently detained a total of 62 individuals. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against two individuals abroad - Irakli Shaishmelashvili and A.U.

Some of them are accused of calling for a violent change in the constitutional order of Georgia or the overthrow of the state government, attempting to seize or block an object of strategic or special importance, organizing and participating in violence committed in group, and some are accused of violence against law enforcement officers.

As for the two individuals abroad against whom criminal proceedings have been launched, one of them is Irakli Shaishmelashvili, who is accused of calling for a violent change in the constitutional order of Georgia and the overthrow of the state government.

The evidence we have obtained, including the video footage, shows that on October 4, the individuals detained by law enforcement officers, together with the organizers of the protest, broke down the barriers of the Presidential Palace on Atoneli street and attempted to seize the palace. In addition to the mentioned, as a result of the unlawful and violent actions taken by the protest participants, 35 police officers were injured. Most of them suffered head injuries.

We continue the implementation of the relevant investigative actions in order to identify other perpetrators of the crime and bring them to criminal justice. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity and thank the law enforcement officers for maintaining public safety and public order with a very high standard and professionalism during the events that took place on October 4.

It was clearly witnessed by everyone that each representative of the police units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs acted with the highest standard, in accordance with the law – this was a precisely and correctly conducted police measure, as a result of which an attempt to overthrow the government was prevented. The coordinated actions of our police officers, employees of the State Security and Special State Protection Service employees once again proved that the law enforcement system of Georgia is strong and organized.

As a result of demonstrated great professionalism of our law enforcement officers we managed to protect the safety of our citizens and the stability of the country.

We will respond strictly against all those who try to undermine the stability of our country and the rule of law. Anyone who goes against the state or raises a hand against a law enforcement officer will be held accountable to the full extent of the law”, - said Geka Geladze.