A Georgian opposition leader, Aleko Elisashvili, was detained on the morning of November 29 in the Tbilisi City Court office—a glass building on the court grounds, connected to the main building.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Alexander Elisashvili "used a hammer to smash the glass facade of the Tbilisi City Court office, entered, where he spilled gasoline around the perimeter, including on equipment and documents, and attempted to set the building on fire". The statement stated that he was detained at the scene by bailiffs, whom Elisashvili "resisted with a firearm he had in his possession, causing physical harm". The statement also stated that one of the bailiffs was injured and taken to a medical clinic.

"During the arrest, as a result of his resistance, Alexander Elisashvili himself was also injured. Police seized the weapons used in the crime as evidence," the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. A video released by the group shows bruises on his face. His lawyer, however, claims he was beaten after his arrest and plans to appeal to the Ombudsman.

The investigation is currently under Article 19-187 of the Criminal Code: "Damaging or attempting to destroy property is punishable by a fine, community service, correctional labor, house arrest, or imprisonment for one to five years. The same act, committed by arson, explosion, or the use of another generally dangerous means, is punishable by imprisonment for three to six years".

Giorgi Rekhviashvili, a lawyer of Aleko Elisashvili, reports that his client did indeed come to the Tbilisi City Court at dawn on November 29 and intended to set fire to the premises as a form of protest. When asked whether the politician admitted guilt, the lawyer replied that he did not, as it was still unknown under what article the prosecutor's office would charge him.

"He committed this act as a form of protest, a protest against an unfair trial. He asked that his words be conveyed: 'Fire for the oligarchy and fire for an unfair trial.' His only regret is that he didn't have enough seconds to finish the job. He chose a Saturday morning so that no one would be harmed. He wanted to show society how illegally and unfairly this court judges people and how it is used to strengthen the regime and dictatorship," the lawyer stated.

According to him, Elisashvili was severely beaten. He claims that "the injuries were inflicted by bailiffs after he was already handcuffed, and there was no need for them". "The investigation claims that he allegedly entered the building threatening someone with a weapon". In reality, the weapon was in a holster, with a hoodie and jacket over it. There was no attempt to use it—the video shows the weapon after the arrest, when it fell during a struggle. "When he entered, three bailiffs and police officers approached," the lawyer said.