"In effect, Giorgi Baramidze has been sentenced to imprisonment by Russia. Just as with everything else, they copied Putin’s instructions in this regard too, and—mirroring Russia—imposed a prison sentence on him here in Georgia," Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the Governing Council of the United National Movement, stated at the briefing held outside the Prosecutor's Office alongside other party leaders.

According to him, this is an act of retaliation against the National Movement and one of its leaders, Giorgi Baramidze.

"Throughout his adult life, he has fought for a free and strong Georgia. He fought with arms in hand in Abkhazia for our territorial integrity, and subsequently, he has continuously fought in the political arena; notably, he implemented reforms that established strong Georgian state institutions. His goal has always been to serve the interests of the Georgian state.

A political statement is not the actual reason for Baramidze's arrest; the pretext is the interpretation of that statement. He clearly explained that he did not intend the meaning attributed to his words. Despite this, he was arrested—why? Because the Russian empire issued the order for Baramidze's arrest a year ago. In effect, Russia sentenced him to imprisonment; just as in all other matters, they copied Putin's instructions, detained him in Georgia in the same manner as Russia would," stated Pavlenishvili.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Giorgi Baramidze—a leader of the National Movement—was arrested on charges of high treason, specifically sabotage. The case concerns a statement Baramidze made regarding the war in Abkhazia. This charge carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.