Maia Nikoleishvili, chairperson of the Anti-Soros Movement, which is affiliated with Igor Giorgadze’s Justice Party, was released on bail after pleading guilty to charges of plotting a coup at a court hearing late on September 8.

Prosecutors wanted two-month pre-trial custody for Nikoleishvili, but after her testimony she was released on GEL 10 000 bail.

Earlier on the same day the Tbilisi City Court sentenced to a two-month pre-trial custody other 12 persons suspected of involvement in the planning of a coup. All of them, including Nikoleishvili, were arrested in a police raids throughout Georgia on September 6.

All suspects except Nikoleishvili have denied the charges.

At the court hearing Nikoleishvili said that there really was a meeting on May 4 in the Tbilisi office of the Justice Party where a plan to overthrow the government was discussed.

But she said that Irina Sarishvili, leader of the Imedi Party (which is also affiliated with the Justice Party) and chairperson of Giorgadze’s Charitable Foundation in Tbilisi, was against the plan. Nikoleishvili also said that Anti-Soros Movement member and former parliamentarian Elizbar Javelidze was also against the idea. Nikoleishvili alleged that the plan was masterminded by Igor Giorgadze.

Speaking at a news conference on September 9 Irina Sarishvili said that Nikoleishvili’s testimony is false and a result of “the personal weakness” of Nikoleishvili.