Arrested opposition leader Khabeishvili criticises government, claims political targeting during court hearing

Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of the United National Movement, has accused the authorities of political persecution and criticised both government officials and parts of the opposition during a court hearing in Tbilisi.

Khabeishvili said he supported opposition unity but argued that repeated references to his party in statements by the opposition alliance were “unreasonable”, claiming that several of their public messages were focused on the United National Movement.

He also criticised frequent changes in the leadership of the State Security Service, saying the agency had seen multiple heads appointed within a short period and questioning the stability of state institutions.

Referring to his own detention, Khabeishvili said the case against him was politically motivated. He also made allegations about the judicial process, claiming connections between law enforcement and judicial actors involved in his detention.

The opposition politician further accused the authorities of selectively pursuing political cases and said comparisons involving former president Mikheil Saakashvili were being used in public discourse in a misleading way.

Khabeishvili was detained on 11 September 2025. Prosecutors have charged him under Article 339 of the Criminal Code, which relates to promising or offering a bribe to an official to commit an unlawful act, and Article 317, which concerns public calls for the violent overthrow of state authority.