Levan Khabeishvili, a member of the United National Movement, reaffirmed his previous claim that Giorgi Gakharia had made a deal with Bidzina Ivanishvili.

According to Khabeishvili, Gakharia’s party has neither revoked its parliamentary mandates nor declined to participate in the upcoming local elections.

He expressed concern that he hopes no other party, such as Lelo, enters into a similar deal with Ivanishvili.

“A few months ago, I said Gakharia had struck a deal with Bidzina Ivanishvili for specific benefits. Now his party is preparing to participate in Ivanishvili’s elections, and their mandates remain intact. This confirms my earlier statement: a deal was struck. But in exchange for what? To walk free. Do you really believe Gakharia didn’t commit crimes? Is he some kind of innocent? In my view, he’s a criminal—responsible for the rigging of the 2018 elections, just as they manipulated the 2024 elections. He bears responsibility for the death of Ia Kerzaia, for the blinding of protesters, and more.

Therefore, I believe his freedom is a result of a deal with Ivanishvili. I also hope no other party, like Lelo, follows the same path. Anyone who participates in Ivanishvili’s staged elections is effectively siding with him,” Khabeishvili said on PalitraNews’ Newsroom of the Day program.