Georgian opposition figures denounce court ahead of verdict in leader Khabeishvili case

Opposition politicians from the United National Movement have accused Georgia’s judiciary of serving political interests ahead of a court verdict involving party leader Levan Khabeishvili.

Speaking outside Tbilisi City Court, the party’s regional secretary Giorgi Botkoveli claimed there was effectively no independent justice system in Georgia and alleged that court decisions depended on the will of the ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“This building is not a court, but Ivanishvili’s office,” Botkoveli said, adding that neither he nor Khabeishvili expected a fair ruling.

Khabeishvili was arrested on 11 September 2025 and charged under Articles 339 and 317 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. Prosecutors accuse him of promising a bribe to a public official and publicly calling for the overthrow of state authority.

The case also involves Murtaz Zodelava.

Another opposition figure, Levan Bezhashvili, described the proceedings as a “political execution” orchestrated by what he called a “Russian regime”.

Bezhashvili claimed the ruling party had used the justice system since 2012 to suppress opposition voices and political dissent.

He also referred to imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili as a “political prisoner” and accused the authorities of persecuting opposition activists because of their pro-European positions.

According to Bezhashvili, Khabeishvili was being prosecuted over remarks directed at riot police during protests, when he allegedly urged officers not to use force against demonstrators.