Former leader of Saakashvili’s party charged with inciting overthrow of government

The Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia has charged Levan Khabeishvili, former chairman of the opposition party United National Movement, founded by ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, with publicly calling for the overthrow of the government.

The announcement was made during a press briefing by Prosecutor Beka Kvitsiani, who stated that Khabeishvili had been formally charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to public calls for the violent or forcible overthrow of the constitutional order, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

“Since June 2025, the accused has been consistently using television and social media platforms to urge citizens to take actions aimed at toppling the state authorities, including naming specific dates and locations,” Kvitsiani said.

The charges follow Khabeishvili’s arrest on September 11 at the entrance of the TV Formula building in central Tbilisi. 

The opposition figure had earlier called for a "peaceful revolution" to take place on October 4, coinciding with the date of local elections that his party and several other opposition groups have vowed to boycott. He had also publicly alleged internal divisions within the ruling Georgian Dream party.

By Sabina Mammadli