Georgia’s Security Service: UNM’s Zodelava detained after attempt to hide Khabeishvili’s phone

The State Security Service of Georgia announced on Thursday that, along with United National Movement Political Council Chair Levan Khabeishvili, party member Murtaz Zodelava was also detained.

The body said during Khabeishvili’s arrest he handed his mobile phone to Zodelava, who then attempted to flee in order to hide the device.

“While trying to escape, Zodelava physically resisted officers of the Anti-Corruption Agency and used force against one of them,” the Security Service said.

His actions have been classified under Article 353 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which concerns violence against a law enforcement officer and carries a penalty of two to five years in prison.

The body added that it would “continue to actively and as a priority carry out operational and investigative measures aimed at detecting and preventing crimes directed against the Georgian state, particularly those of a corrupt nature”.