The United National Movement (UNM) has issued a statement regarding Levan Khabeishvili’s arrest, saying “arrest occurred in gross violation of Georgian legislation; he was not given the opportunity to exercise his constitutional right to legal representation.”

“Today, the Russian band of traitorous criminals has unlawfully arrested the leader of the United National Movement and Chairman of the Political Council, Levan Khabeishvili, on absurd charges.

This action by the regime is driven by fear of receiving the wrath from the Georgian people that they have earned through 13 years of treacherous, Russian policies implemented in Georgia.

The regime’s objective is clear: they want to sow fear in society and unleash a new wave of repression. Their aim is for the United National Movement, operating under the leadership of Putin’s personal captive and political prisoner of the regime, Mikheil Saakashvili, as well as the entire Georgian patriotic society, to abandon the peaceful, uncompromising struggle against this regime of traitors, a struggle aimed at liberating Georgia from rule by Russia’s fifth column and once again setting us on the path towards NATO and European Union membership and Georgia’s peaceful unification.

Levan Khabeishvili’s arrest occurred in gross violation of Georgian legislation; he was not given the opportunity to exercise his constitutional right to legal representation.

The regime’s fear has particularly intensified due to the Georgian people’s principled rejection of the Russian special operation on October 4, which Levan Khabeishvili constantly emphasised, calling on citizens to gather on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue instead of going to the Russian special operation points, and to unite in liberating Georgia.

The United National Movement calls upon society: despite the desperate regime’s repressions, let us continue our peaceful struggle to achieve our common national goals!” the party’s statement reads.