On November 12, the Prosecution Service of Georgia initiated criminal proceedings against Giorgi Gakharia, the former Prime Minister of Georgia, for organizing the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm on two or more individuals during the June 2019 protest near the Parliament Building, and for abuse of official authority by a public official holding a state political office.

According to the Service, the charges were linked to the events of June 20–21, 2019, and to the Chorchana incident. It stated that Gakharia was accused of organizing the use of excessive force against protesters and of making unilateral decisions that endangered national security. "The Prosecution Service of Georgia has initiated criminal prosecution against Giorgi Gakharia, former Prime Minister of Georgia," the statement read. "The case concerns the well-known events of June 20–21, 2019, and the Chorchana episode, specifically the organization of intentional infliction of serious bodily harm to two or more individuals during the protest rally held adjacent to the Parliament Building, as well as the abuse of official authority by a person holding a state political office".

The Service recalled that on May 7, 2024, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on the so-called June 20 case, finding that Georgia had violated Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to properly investigate the events in front of the Parliament Building in Tbilisi. The Court required the State to conduct specific investigative actions and to evaluate the responsibility of those who planned and implemented the police operation. Following this decision, extensive investigations were conducted, including experiments involving victims, hundreds of witness interviews, and more than one hundred forensic examinations. As a result of these efforts, the authorities determined that Giorgi Gakharia bore individual criminal responsibility.

The investigation established that on the evening of June 20, 2019, a peaceful demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi escalated into violence when part of the crowd attempted to storm the Parliament Building and clashed with police officers. In this situation, Gakharia, then the Minister of Internal Affairs, allegedly violated legal procedures by ordering the Special Tasks Department to use special means collectively and simultaneously—without prior warning and without giving peaceful protesters the chance to disperse. Through this unlawful command, Gakharia reportedly organized the deliberate infliction of bodily harm on citizens. The indiscriminate use of rubber bullets and other means left dozens injured; two protesters lost an eye, and five others sustained serious bodily injuries.

Regarding the second episode, investigators determined that on August 24, 2019, Gakharia, who also served as Secretary and permanent member of the National Security Council, unilaterally ordered the establishment of a new police checkpoint near the village of Chorchana, along the occupation line. This decision was made without consultation with the Prime Minister, the State Security Service of Georgia, or the European Union Monitoring Mission, and exceeded the authority of the National Security Council. The move was publicly covered by the media and, as noted by the Service, provided a pretext for actions by representatives of the occupation regime. On September 5, 2019, illegal armed groups of the de facto regime in Tskhinvali occupied high ground within Georgia’s government-controlled territory. Around 100 hectares of forest came under occupation, and heavy military equipment was moved toward populated areas, raising the risk of armed confrontation. Homes in the villages of Kobi and Tsneli in Khashuri Municipality were also incorporated into the occupied zone.

According to the investigation, by taking these actions, Giorgi Gakharia knowingly exceeded his official authority and inflicted substantial harm on the lawful interests of society and the State. He was charged under Article 25 in conjunction with Article 117 §3(l) of the Criminal Code of Georgia for organizing the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm on two or more persons, and under Article 333 §2 for abuse of official authority by a person holding a state political office — offenses punishable by up to 13 years of imprisonment. The Prosecution Service announced its intention to request pre-trial detention for Gakharia from the Tbilisi City Court within the statutory period. The criminal investigation remains ongoing.