Tbilisi court orders detention of pro-European activists after Rustaveli Avenue clash

Tbilisi City Court on Monday remanded in custody two activists, Tornike Toshkhua and Mindia Shervashidze, who were detained earlier this month during a pro-European rally on central Rustaveli Avenue.

The pair are accused by prosecutors of participating in group violence and If convicted, they face up to two years in prison.

The case stems from an incident on 31 July, when a confrontation broke out on Rustaveli Avenue. According to defence lawyer Omar Phurtseladze, former footballer Beka Gotsiridze arrived armed with a knife and insulted demonstrators, triggering a fight. Activists said they saw his knife fall during the scuffle and later handed it to police. Officers escorted Gotsiridze away from the scene.

During the hearing, prosecutor Nino Zhvania alleged that Gotsiridze was physically attacked by a group of activists. Judge Eka Barbakadze rejected a defence request for bail and ordered Toshkhua and Shervashidze to remain in pre-trial detention. Their next court session is scheduled for 6 October.

Supporters of the activists claimed they were victims of provocation and insisted the charges were politically motivated.

Gotsiridze later posted videos on TikTok describing the confrontation and mocking rally participants, saying they had “failed to beat him up”. In subsequent videos, he insulted protesters and vowed to “see the case through to the end.”