Protest held outside State Security Service in support of detained opposition leader Khabeishvili

A demonstration is under way outside Georgia’s State Security Service in support of Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the United National Movement’s political council, who was detained 85 days ago.

Family members, friends and party colleagues have gathered at the site, insisting that Khabeishvili is a political prisoner and alleging that he has been denied all contact with the outside world since his arrest.

According to supporters, Khabeishvili was being held for his political statements.

 “In the history of independent Georgia, for the first time, Ivanishvili’s Russian regime has imprisoned a politician for his political remarks,” UNM member Mariam Dolidze said, claiming Khabeishvili was “locked within four walls for speech.”

Dolidze also repeated party allegations about Khabeishvili’s treatment during a 2024 protest crackdown, accusing security forces - whom she referred to as Russian OMON - of “severely beating him and threatening to kill him.” She said senior officials were present during the incident.

Supporters argued that Khabeishvili has been targeted for his long-standing criticism of the government and its security officials. They said he was detained on 11 September after publicly urging riot police not to torture protesters or break their bones.

“For 85 days, Levan Khabeishvili has been forbidden any communication with the outside world, including the right to make phone calls,” Dolidze said.

Khabeishvili was arrested by the State Security Service on 11 September on charges of publicly offering money as a bribe to officials.