Koba Kobaladze, who served as commander of the national guard till February, 2004, has been formally charged with an attempt to stage uprising to overthrow the government. 

His defense lawyer, Gela Nikoleishvili, said that Kobaladze had been charged under part two of article 315 of the criminal code – “uprising for the purpose of forcibly changing the constitutional system and overthrowing the government or for seizing the power.”

“He [Kobaladze] calls the allegations absurd and states that he is determined to prove his innocence,” his defense lawyer said.

Kobaladze was arrested on May 5, hours after a commander of the tank battalion based in Mukhrovani allegedly declared disobedience to the authorities.