UNM’s Nadiradze says Khaberishvili case ‘purely political’, vows peaceful uprising on 4 October

Irakli Nadiradze from the United National Movement (UNM) on Monday claimed that the prosecution of party leader Levan Khabeishvili was politically motivated and vowed that planned protests on 4 October would go ahead.

“This process is entirely political. It was a direct order from Bidzina [Ivanishvili], because he is convinced he will lose to the Georgian people on 4 October. He has seen that people believe in victory. On 4 October, we are preparing for a peaceful overthrow,” Nadiradze told reporters.

He alleged that the decision against Khabeishvili was handed down by a judge whose husband allegedly works for the State Security Service (SSSG) and was allegedly involved in orchestrating a previous attack on Khabeishvili.

He said UNM lawyers would appeal the ruling despite having no expectation of a different outcome, calling the case “stitched up” by security services.

Nadiradze also reiterated his offer of $200,000 to any security officers who refuse to use violence against demonstrators, saying: “They can arrest us individually or in groups - it will not change anything. The plan is with the people. Everyone knows what they have to do, and this struggle will end in victory.”