Mate Devidze, 21, detained by police during the dispersal of a protest on Melikishvili Avenue, has been sentenced to imprisonment as a preventive measure. The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Davit Kurtanidze following a motion by the prosecutor's office. The defense had requested the defendant's release on bail of 2000 GEL.
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The Prosecutor's Office has released a video showing Mate Devidze wielding a baton against police officers. According to the prosecutor in the case, Ani Khubejashvili, the defendant's actions resulted in injuries to patrol officers.
“In this specific case, the degree of injury is not decisive for qualification. Whether the act constitutes a serious crime is determined by the defendant’s actions and their heightened danger. Three police officers were injured in this instance. Two sustained injuries documented in their medical records. An examination has been ordered to determine the extent of the injuries. The medical records indicate various injuries to the face and shoulder areas. One officer was struck on the hand with the baton, but the degree of injury was deemed minor. Although all individuals are examined, there was no visible damage in this situation,” explained the prosecutor.
Khubejashvili also stated that there was a risk of Devidze committing a new crime, fleeing, or destroying evidence, which prompted the Prosecutor's Office to request the strictest preventive measure.
The defendant was not permitted to speak during the trial. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16.
Mate Devidze was one of 16 individuals administratively detained on Melikishvili Avenue on November 19. He was initially charged with disobeying a police officer and committing petty hooliganism. However, after the expiration of the 48-hour administrative detention period, during which he was due to be released from custody, the case was reclassified under Part 1 of Article 353 of the Criminal Code. This article pertains to assaulting a police officer and carries a penalty of four to seven years of imprisonment.
