UNM’s Botkoveli accuses government of detaining opposition figures for political motives

Giorgi Botkoveli, a senior figure in the opposition United National Movement (UNM), has accused the Georgian government of using criminal charges to target political opponents and entrench what he described as an emerging dictatorship.

Botkoveli said those celebrating the charges against Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava “know very well” that both men were political prisoners. He argued the case stemmed from political statements made about potential policy changes after a change of government, rather than any criminal wrongdoing.

He described the proceedings against Khabeishvili, Zodelava and other individuals linked to the anti-government events of 4 October as “a purely political process” with no connection to justice. According to Botkoveli, the arrests served a single purpose -  to reinforce authoritarian rule.

The Tbilisi City Court is continuing hearings in the case related to the 4 October rally.