Ex-President Saakashvili alleges Security Service plots to frame opposition UNM for coup

Georgia’s jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili has claimed that the country’s State Security Service (SSS), which he refers to as “Ivanishvili’s mafia-style agency,” is planning a major provocation against the opposition party United National Movement (UNM).

In a statement posted from prison, Saakashvili says he has received "accurate information" that the SSS intends to accuse leaders of the UNM, particularly party chair Levan Khabeishvili, of plotting an armed coup.

According to Saakashvili, the goal is to arrest a large number of UNM leaders and charge them with attempting to overthrow the government, using "modern falsification methods."

“I categorically deny any association with violent actions, as do my allies,” Saakashvili stressed.
“Our goal is to build the widest possible front of protest and bring change through peaceful but assertive means. Anyone promoting violence is either a provocateur or sent by Ivanishvili.”