The Public Defender calls on the State Security Service to immediately ensure access for human rights defenders to the detained politicians - Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava.

The Ombudsman issues a statement regarding this.

"The Georgian Public Defender learned from the lawyer's public appeal that for several hours, lawyers were not given the opportunity to meet with Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava.

The right to defense is guaranteed by Georgian legislation, and investigative agencies are obligated not to hinder the effective exercise of this right.

We call on the State Security Service to immediately ensure access for lawyers defending the interests of the accused," the statement reads.