Authorities arrested on September 11 Levan Khabeishvili, one of the leaders of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party.
Khabeishvili was arrested at the entrance of TV Formula’s building in central Tbilisi by several men in civilian clothes, who were allegedly SSSG officers, and was taken to the SSSG building near the station. His detention was shortly confirmed by the SSSG. Security officers then also detained another UNM member, Murtaz Zodelava, at the same scene.
Khabeishvili has been actively calling for a “peaceful revolution” on October 4, when Georgia holds local elections that many opposition forces, including his UNM, are boycotting in protest.
He has also spoken about alleged infighting within Georgian Dream, citing information from anonymous sources said to be former GD members. In July, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said former “corrupt” members of the ruling party were feeding information to the opposition and specifically named Levan Khabeishvili as one of those receiving leaked information.
SSSG told media it scheduled a briefing for 5 p.m.
More to follow…