A court hearing of Levan Khabeishvili, Chairman of the Political Council of the United National Movement, and opposition politician Murtaz Zodelava is currently underway at Tbilisi City Court.

Only one defendant, Levan Khabeishvili, is attending the hearing. Murtaz Zodelava has refused to be present at the court session.

The case is being heard by Judge Irakli Khuskivadze. Today’s hearing is continuing with the examination of witnesses. At this moment, Zurab Kobaladze, a representative of the Anti-Corruption Department of the State Security Service (SSS), is being questioned as a witness. He is testifying about the circumstances and reasons behind the detention of Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava.

For reference, Levan Khabeishvili is accused of promising a bribe to a public official in order to commit an illegal act, as well as publicly calling for the overthrow of the state authorities.

Khabeishvili has been charged under Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the promise of money or a bribe to a public official to induce them, while exercising official powers or performing duties, to act or refrain from acting in favor of the bribe-giver.

In addition, Levan Khabeishvili has also been charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to public calls for the overthrow of the state authorities.

Murtaz Zodelava, meanwhile, is accused of illegally interfering in the activities of an investigator of the State Security Service and, with the aim of obstructing a comprehensive, complete, and objective investigation, attempting to conceal Levan Khabeishvili’s mobile phone, for which a court-issued search warrant had been granted.

Zodelava has been charged under Part 1 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which covers illegal interference in an investigator’s activities in any form with the intent to obstruct a thorough, complete, and objective investigation. This offense carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment.