The Kakulia brothers, accused in the Niko Kvaratskhelia murder case, at the court hearing

David and Guram Kakulia, accused of organizing the premeditated murder of Niko Kvaratskhelia by a group, stated at the court hearing that they do not plead guilty. According to David Kakulia, the prosecutor's office could not obtain a single piece of evidence against them, while Guram Kakulia called the accusation "absurd" and "fabricated". David Kakulia called on the Kvaratskhelia family to withdraw the complaint and demand the termination of the case, because, as he claims, the case contains only "the nonsense of bribed journalists". Interpressnews+3

At the court hearing, the Kakulia brothers refused to have the case heard by a jury trial. Judge Lela Kalichenko explained the jury trial to the accused, but they stated their refusal. In addition, Guram Kakulia stated that they would not attend the next hearings and requested their release from the proceedings. Interpressnews+1

The court referred the case for substantive consideration, and the substantive hearing of the case will be held on October 29. According to Judge Lela Kalichenko, there was no basis for terminating the prosecution of the accused, despite the lawyers' motion. Niko Kvaratskhelia was killed in Tbilisi on September 15, 2021. Interpressnews+2