TBILISI, September 24 – Lawyers for Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM), are doubling down on claims that his arrest is politically motivated. Khabeishvili was detained earlier this month by Georgia’s State Security Service and charged with publicly promising money to officials in exchange for political support. … Read more
TBILISI, September 15 – A jailed leader of Georgia’s largest opposition party has accused the country’s most powerful political figures of locking him up to silence dissent, calling his arrest proof that the government fears its own people. Levan Khabeishvili, a senior figure in the United National Movement (UNM), made the comments in a handwritten … Read more
TBILISI, September 14 – Georgia’s opposition parties gathered in Tbilisi on September 13 for a rally that passed peacefully, drawing between several hundred and up to 3,000 people, according to different estimates. The demonstration, which started at Tbilisi State University and ended in front of parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, was joined by ex-President Salome Zurabishvili, … Read more
TBILISI, September 13 – Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of the opposition United National Movement (UNM), has been formally charged in Georgia with promising bribes to officials and publicly calling for the overthrow of state authority. His arrest has triggered sharp debate, with the opposition accusing the government of fear mongering ahead of … Read more
TBILISI, September 12 – Georgia’s State Security Service carried out dramatic arrests in the Black Sea city of Batumi, detaining the leader of the opposition National Movement (UNM), Levan Khabeishvili, along with party member Murtaz Zodelava. Former defense minister Juansher Burchuladze, a close ally of ex-prime minister Irakli Garibashvili, was also taken into custody. The … Read more
TBILISI, August 28 – The opposition in Georgia is preparing what it calls a “peaceful revolution” on October 4. The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) warns that an attempt to overthrow the government will be treated as a crime. Activists from the “Rustaveli Avenue” movement, together with Levan Khabeishvili from the United National Movement (UNM), have … Read more
TBILISI, August 13 – In Georgia, the opposition United National Movement (UNM), currently boycotting parliament, is openly discussing a “peaceful revolution” to change power on October 4. Party leader Levan Khabeishvili even launched a Facebook poll asking supporters if they would attend a planned rally. Around 4,700 people responded, with 92% saying yes. UNM chair … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–A opposition politician in Georgia has promised large cash rewards to law enforcement officers who refuse to use force against protesters in case there is unrest in connection with the October 4 local elections. Levan Khabeishvili, former chairman of the United National Movement (UNM), called on security forces to “put down their weapons” and … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The “Stay Home” campaign, spearheaded by Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the United National Movement’s (UNM) political council, aims to delegitimize the vote by urging voters not to take part. Khabeishvili argues that participation would legitimize the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, which he accuses of authoritarianism under billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s influence. But other opposition … Read more