UNM’s Tsanava: ‘I’ve been in captivity for 33 days because I didn’t betray my brother Levan Khabeishvili’

Lasha Tsanava, a member of the Political Council of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), who has been in detention since July 30, 2025, has addressed supporters in a letter sent from prison. In the statement, Tsanava says he has spent 33 days behind bars because he refused to betray his political ally and UNM Chair Levan Khabeishvili.

“It has been 33 days that I am in captivity because I did not betray my brother, my comrade-in-arms [Levan Khabeishvili]. Being here is difficult, I miss my family and friends every second, but I remain strong. Now we need unity and struggle. On October 4, Georgia’s fate will be decided - whether we join the European family or become a Russian province. That is why we must be many, and we must stand together”, Tsanava wrote.

In his message, he thanked friends and fellow party members for their solidarity, adding: “Freedom to political prisoners, solidarity with political prisoners, glory to Georgia, victory to Georgia, freedom to Georgia!”

During his court hearing, Tsanava claimed that shortly after his arrest two senior officials entered the Moduli building and offered him release in exchange for secretly recording Khabeishvili.