The court hearing of Giorgi Baramidze, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, who was detained on charges of treason against the homeland, specifically sabotage, will be held today.

The hearing, at which the court will consider whether to impose a pre-trial measure on him, will take place at the Tbilisi City Court at 1:30 p.m.

Judge Eka Barbakadze will preside over the case.

The prosecution is seeking the strictest pre-trial measure - detention - for the detained politician. According to the defense, the prosecution’s motion should not be granted.

For reference, United National Movement leader Giorgi Baramidze was detained on charges of treason against the homeland, specifically sabotage. The case concerns statements Baramidze made about the war in Abkhazia, namely that “at the initial stage of the 1992-1993 armed conflict in Abkhazia, members of the Georgian armed forces did not take prisoners and instead shot them on the spot.”

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, his statement damaged the reputation of Georgia’s Defense Forces and undermined the honor and dignity of veterans who participated in the Abkhazia war, as well as fallen service members.

At the same time, the Prosecutor’s Office says Baramidze’s actions threatened the process of reconciliation and confidence-building with populations affected by the conflict, damaged Georgia’s peacebuilding and de-occupation policy, and obstructed the normal functioning of state institutions, including the activities of the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality and the effective operation of mechanisms established by the office to promote confidence-building and cooperation.

The charge carries a sentence of up to four years in prison.