The Tbilisi City Court has handed down sentences in the case of Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of the United National Movement, who was accused of promising a bribe to an official and calling for the overthrow of state power, and Murtaz Zodelava, the former Prosecutor General of Georgia, who was detained for obstructing an investigation.
Judge Irakli Khuskivadze found both defendants guilty. Khabeishvili was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, while Zodelava was sentenced to nine months. The defendants were not present for the reading of the verdict.
At yesterday’s court hearing, Khabeishvili delivered his final statement, declaring that he was being punished for a political promise. Zodelava did not attend the hearing.
Levan Khabeishvili was charged under Part 2 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which covers promising a bribe or transferring money to an official for committing an illegal act. The opposition politician was also charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which covers public calls for the overthrow of state power.
Murtaz Zodelava was charged under Part 1 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Georgia—unlawful interference in any form in the activities of an investigator with the aim of obstructing a comprehensive, full, and objective investigation of a case. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year.
