Former leader of Saakashvili’s party arrested over alleged bribery

Levan Khabeishvili, former leader of the party founded by ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili and a current figure in the opposition United National Movement (UNM), was arrested at the entrance of TV Formula in central Tbilisi.

Another UNM member, Murtaz Zodelava, was also detained at the scene, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

Khabeishvili has previously called for a “peaceful revolution” on October 4, coinciding with local elections that UNM and other opposition parties are boycotting. He has also referred to alleged divisions within the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Emzar Gagnidze, director of the SSSG’s Anti-Corruption Agency, said the arrest was linked to Khabeishvili’s public statements regarding law enforcement officers.

“Levan Khabeishvili, in public statements, on television and social media, called on law enforcement officers and promised them bribes if, during anti-government rallies, Interior Ministry Special Task Department officers refused to carry out their duties or refrained from using the special equipment at their disposal,” Gagnidze said, adding that Khabeishvili promised to pay $200,000 to anyone who agreed.

Gagnidze also said Khabeishvili offered $200,000 to officers for providing “different work-related information, including secret data,” and to Special Task Department employees “in exchange for refusing to train and practice,” describing the approach as “feasible” to influence government actions.

Khabeishvili was arrested under Part 2 of Article 339 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which addresses offering money to officials to commit unlawful acts and carries a prison term of four to seven years.

By Aghakazim Guliyev