Irakli Kerashvili is a 30-year-old plastic surgeon, artist, and voluntary blood donor. During pro-European protests, he provided medical assistance to injured demonstrators. On the morning of December 6, 2024, unidentified men in civilian clothing—who were later identified as police officers—took him from his home and arrested him. He was charged with participating in group violence.
His arrest was accidentally recorded by neighbors. Three vehicles were waiting outside his apartment building, from which officers of the criminal police emerged and took Irakli away. He was only informed at the police station that he was accused of attacking police officers during the protests.
Outside, his parents, elderly grandmother, and fiancée are waiting for him. After his arrest, he wrote to his mother:
«Being imprisoned for one’s homeland is the greatest honor for a patriot, a rare privilege!” »
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«I watch you on TV. Your determination gives us strength. We will surely win! Do not worry for even a second! Being here for my country is happiness and immense pride. There is no greater gift for a patriotic Georgian.»
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«I don't know about the group affiliation they're accusing us of. Unfortunately, I didn't know these fantastic people before the trial. The prosecution calls us criminals, but I want to inform you that I am a doctor, a selfless blood donor, and I have always been happy to care for the people around me. Thank you for introducing me to these fantastic people.»
«I couldn't speak at the trial, my head was in too much pain... I wanted to say these words from George Orwell's 1984:
'They will execute me—I don't care. They will shoot me in the neck—I don't care. Big Brother Down! Do they always shoot you in the neck? I don't care. Big Brother Down!'»
His letters from prison show that he does not regret the path he has chosen.
Kerashvili is being prosecuted under Article 225 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to participation in group violence. If convicted, he faces 4 to 6 years in prison. The prosecution claims that he was part of an organized violent group, and his case is being considered alongside 10 other defendants, including Onise Tskhadadze, Guram Mirtchulava, Luka Jabu, Jano Archaiya, Ruslan Sivakov, Revaz Kiknadze, Giorgi Terashvili, Valeri Tetrashvili, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Andro Chichinadze. The defendants argue that it is unclear why their cases are being tried together, as they did not know each other prior to the trial, had never met before the courtroom, and there is no evidence of communication between them.
The defense states that there is no video or photographic evidence proving Kerashvili’s involvement in violent acts. The only evidence against him is a single photograph extracted from general protest footage, which was used to identify him. However, according to his lawyer, this only proves that Irakli Kerashvili was present at the protest. Despite this, the prosecution classified him as guilty of participation in violence.
On January 10, 2024, Judge Ketevan Jachvadze upheld a previous ruling by Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili and imposed a two-month pretrial detention on Kerashvili. Despite the defense’s arguments, the judge ruled in favor of the prosecution.
The prosecution then began artificially delaying the process. The substantive hearing was supposed to begin in January, but they requested an extension of the investigation period, delaying the trial by another two months. Their reasoning? They needed more time to collect evidence. The defense, however, argues that the prosecution had already failed to use the initial two-month period effectively and that the extension serves only to prolong politically motivated imprisonment.
On March 5, Judge Ketevan Jachvadze was replaced by newly appointed Judge Irakli Shvangiradze, who had taken office in December 2024. Human rights advocates believe this was part of a "deliberate delay tactic" meant to stretch out the proceedings.
Lawyer Guja Avsajanashvili filed a motion to recuse Judge Shvangiradze, citing his previous role as a prosecutor. He also demanded the removal of Prosecutor Vazha Todua, who had been placed on a Baltic countries' sanctions list. The judge denied both motions.
The prosecution then began artificially delaying the process. The substantive hearing was supposed to begin in January, but they requested an extension of the investigation period, delaying the trial by another two months. Their reasoning? They needed more time to collect evidence. The defense, however, argues that the prosecution had already failed to use the initial two-month period effectively and that the extension serves only to prolong politically motivated imprisonment.
The March 25th hearing was closed by the judge's decision. At the beginning, Irakli Kerashvili addressed the judge with a request - "Since my mother has returned from emigration and is leaving tonight, please allow her to attend the hearing," however, the request was denied. "We need willpower and patience," said Ketevan, who came from Italy to see her son and will not be able to meet Irakli for another six months.
The March 25th hearing was closed by the judge's decision. At the beginning, Irakli Kerashvili addressed the judge with a request - "Since my mother has returned from emigration and is leaving tonight, please allow her to attend the hearing," however, the request was denied. "We need willpower and patience," said Ketevan, who came from Italy to see her son and will not be able to meet Irakli for another six months.
Kerashvili’s lawyers argue that he was arrested solely for participating in pro-European protests. Notably, in March 2023, when the “Russian Law” was first introduced in parliament, he was among 100 doctors who signed a public appeal urging lawmakers not to pass the "Foreign Influence Transparency Law." The statement warned that adopting the law would halt Georgia's European integration and suppress civil society.
Kerashvili’s case clearly illustrates how the government is using the judicial system against political opponents. Despite the lack of concrete evidence against him, he remains in prison. His lawyers, family, and supporters demand his immediate release, arguing that his imprisonment is an act of political persecution targeting those who fight for Georgia’s European future.
