Georgia’s UNM leader Khabeishvili denied prison visits, communication rights

Levan Khabeishvili, Chair of the opposition United National Movement’s Political Council, has been denied the right to receive visits, make phone calls, or send correspondence,Georgia’s State Security Service said on Tuesday.

The body added the restrictions were imposed to prevent Khabeishvili from contacting individuals involved in his case or attempting to influence witnesses.

“It is advisable that defendant Khabeishvili be restricted from exercising the above-mentioned rights in the interest of justice, as there is reasonable suspicion that, through telephone communication, visits, or correspondence, he may attempt to contact or influence individuals involved in the case, which would hinder the establishment of objective truth,” the statement reads.

Khabeishvili was detained on September 11 on charges of publicly offering bribes to officials. A court ordered his pre-trial detention, a decision his defence lawyers have appealed.