Arrested and held in pre-trial custody: UNM associate Lasha Tsanava
Lasha Tsanava, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) political council in Georgia, found himself in the centre of a legal storm after being accused of offering a one-year Georgian residence permit for $5,600 to a foreign citizen.
According to the prosecutor, Giorgi Kavsadze, the offer was made via WhatsApp. Kavsadze also claimed that Tsanava boasted of influential connections and used his own bank accounts, and that other individuals may be involved in the alleged transaction.
The alleged transaction involved a transfer of $150 to Tsanava's account via a TBC Bank branch and the handover of part of the agreed amount. Tsanava was arrested by the State Security Service's Anti-Corruption Agency and charged with attempted large-scale fraud.
The case includes covert audio and video evidence, with the authorities presenting these as proof of the exchanges of money and discussions about processing residence permits. Tsanava's lawyer, Lasha Tkhesheladze, called the charges fabricated and claimed the foreign nationals involved were agent-provocateurs.
Tsanava refuses the offer, stating that honor and loyalty come first for him. However, he also stated that he was asked to record every move of Khabeishvili, including where he goes and who he talks to. Tsanava claims that representatives of the State Security Service (SSS) offered him freedom and a large sum of money in exchange for secretly recording his colleague and friend, Levan Khabeishvili.
The SSS top boss, whom Levan Khabeishvili has mentioned multiple times, is Anri Okhanashvili, who is reportedly furious with Khabeishvili. The offer includes a condition for Tsanava to cooperate with the SSS.
Tsanava has been ordered to be held in custody pending trial by Tbilisi City Court. His statement was made during his court hearing. The order was made following a hearing on the prosecution's request for the strictest preventive measure. The UNM leadership called the detention a provocation, claiming Tsanava was providing help to foreign nationals and was targeted unfairly.
The alleged residence permit fraud case involves a foreign citizen and covert audio and video evidence. The crime is punishable by a fine or six to nine years in prison. The investigation and judicial process are ongoing.
[1] https://www.georgiatoday.ge/news/36843/UNM-member-Lasha-Tsanava-arrested-charged-with-attempted-large-scale-fraud [2] https://www.civil.ge/archives/397826 [3] https://www.georgiatoday.ge/news/36847/UNM-leadership-calls-Tsanava-s-detention-a-provocation [5] https://www.civil.ge/archives/397826
In the ongoing crime-and-justice case, Lasha Tsanava, a member of the UNM political council in Georgia, is accused of offering a residence permit for a large sum of money, which falls under the category of general-news. The alleged transaction involves a transfer of funds and covert evidence, and Tsanava is currently held in custody pending trial.
