Tbilisi City Court has ordered pre-trial detention for Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the National Movement’s political council, who is accused of promising a bribe to an official to commit an illegal act and of publicly calling for the overthrow of the state government. Opposition politician Murtaz Zodelava, arrested for obstructing the investigation, was released on bail set at 25,000 GEL.
The ruling was delivered by Judge Pikria Sikturashvili.
The defense had requested Zodelava’s release without any preventive measure, while in Khabeishvili’s case they proposed bail and alternative restrictions, including house arrest, electronic monitoring, and a ban on public statements.
Khabeishvili faces charges under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to publicly calling for the overthrow of the state government.
Zodelava is accused of unlawfully interfering in the work of a State Security Service investigator and attempting to conceal Khabeishvili’s mobile phone, which was subject to a court-ordered search and seizure, thereby obstructing a full and impartial investigation.
Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava were arrested earlier past week during a State Security Service operation. Investigators claim that Khabeishvili was detained on charges of bribery and incitement to overthrow the government, while Zodelava was taken into custody after allegedly interfering with the investigation and attempting to hide Khabeishvili’s mobile phone. Both were brought before Tbilisi City Court shortly after their arrest.
Image: IPN
Related story: UNM leaders detained: Khabeishvili arrested, Zodelava taken to SSG
