The court has sentenced Murtaz Zodelava, a member of the opposition United National Movement party,  to nine months in prison. Judge Irakli Khuskivadze announced the decision. Zodelava did not attend the court hearing.

According to investigators, Zodelava unlawfully interfered with the work of an investigator from the State Security Service of Georgia, allegedly attempting to hinder a full and objective investigation by concealing the mobile phone of UNM’s Levan Khabeishvili.

Authorities stated that the phone was subject to a court-approved search warrant.

Zodelava was charged under Article 364(1) of the Criminal Code, which covers unlawful interference in an investigator’s activities aimed at obstructing a comprehensive and objective investigation. The offense carries a penalty of up to one year in prison.