Irakli Pavlenishvili: The torture of a political figure of Levan Khabeishvili’s "caliber" does not happen on someone's own initiative; it always has a green light from the ministers of force - real consequences for this crime will only follow a change of government
"The torture of a political figure of Levan Khabeishvili’s 'caliber' does not happen on someone's own initiative; there is always a green light and direct instructions from the ministers of force [security/law enforcement ministers]. Just like with every other crime, real consequences for this crime will only come after a change of government," stated Irakli Pavlenishvili, Chairman of the Managing Board of the United National Movement.
He reacted to the City Court's decision, which sentenced former employees of the State Security Service (SSG) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to 5 years in prison each for the physical violence committed against Levan Khabeishvili, one of the leaders of the National Movement.
According to Irakli Pavlenishvili, "This does not constitute an actual investigation into Levan Khabeishvili's case or the imposition of proper accountability."
"We saw the City Court’s ruling, which supposedly punished all the individuals who participated not merely in the beating and physical abuse of Levan Khabeishvili, but in his torture and inhuman treatment. These people are merely executors whom the regime has sacrificed—just as they sacrificed many in the past, are sacrificing many in the present, and will sacrifice many in the future.
In reality, Levan Khabeishvili has spoken about who actually participated in his torture. This torture lasted for hours, and dozens of people took part in it, including the [then] Head of the Special Tasks Department, Mr. Zviad Kharazishvili, and other high-ranking officials. It is impossible that this was the independent initiative of a specific group within the Special Tasks Department or of isolated individuals.
This was planned at a high political level. This is not an investigation into Levan Khabeishvili’s case, nor is it imposing appropriate responsibility. Accountability must be imposed on the dozens of people who participated in the torture, as well as the Minister of Internal Affairs [from that night] and other political figures who were directly involved in this crime. Because the torture of a political figure of Levan Khabeishvili’s 'caliber' does not happen on someone's own initiative; there is always a green light and direct instructions from the ministers of force.
Just like with every other crime, real consequences for this crime will come after a change of government," Irakli Pavlenishvili declared.
For context, former employees of the SSG and the MIA charged with physical violence against one of the leaders of the National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili, were sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment each.
Within the framework of the 2024 protests, the Prosecutor's Office arrested five individuals for acts of violence committed against protester Zviad Maisashvili, politician Levan Khabeishvili, and journalist Guram Rogava. Those arrested include three former and one active special forces officer, as well as one active employee of the Security Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Two of the special forces officers are already in custody as part of ongoing investigations into separate criminal cases.
All five detainees were charged under Article 333, Part 3, Subparagraph "b" of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to exceeding official powers through violence. Additionally, the individual arrested in connection with the Rogava episode was charged under Article 154, Part 2, which covers unlawful interference with a journalist's professional activities through violence. The charges carry a sentence of 5 to 8 years of imprisonment.
