Georgian opposition leader Elisashvili detained in new criminal case, lawyer says

Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition coalition Lelo - Strong Georgia, has been detained, his lawyer confirmed on Saturday.

According to attorney Giorgi Rekhviashvili, the detention was connected to a criminal case, though the specific charges had not yet been disclosed.

“I can only confirm that he has been detained, but I cannot tell you under which article - I do not have that information,” Rekhviashvili said.

“As far as I know, this is a criminal case. I am waiting for his transfer to the detention facility. Once I meet him and go inside, I will be able to provide more details,” he added.

The lawyer added that the detention appeared to be linked to a “new criminal investigation”, noting that Elisashvili had not been subject to detention in relation to the ongoing case already known to the public.