Chairman of the United National Movement’s Political Council, Levan Khabeishvili, has come to the defense of party member Lasha Tsanava following his arrest by the State Security Service (SSG).

In a statement posted on social media, Khabeishvili described Tsanava as a “decent man” and long-time ally who has stood by him “in every struggle.”

“This man is my friend. He never left me alone in any fight. He’s honest, hardworking, and a family man trying to support his children. He worked nights in private security, sometimes even as a driver, and naturally came into contact with foreign nationals,” Khabeishvili wrote.

“If he was offering help to foreigners in sorting out their documentation, how is that a crime? You can find dozens of people offering the same kind of assistance outside the House of Justice. But in Lasha’s case, they sent an SSG agent-provocateur and filmed him with a hidden camera.”

Khabeishvili linked the incident to what he describes as “a broader smear campaign” against him, both from internal and external opponents:

“The public sees the campaign being waged against me, and I won’t tire. You won’t break me – not like this,” he concluded.