Arrestee Lasha Tsanava, affiliated with UNM, remanded into preliminary custody
In a dramatic turn of events, Lasha Tsanava, a senior figure in Georgia's opposition party United National Movement (UNM), has been arrested by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) on charges of immigration/residence permit fraud and attempted large-scale fraud[2][3][5].
Following his detention, Tsanava alleged that the State Security Service pressured him to cooperate with them by becoming an informant. He claimed he was offered money and freedom in exchange for spying on Levan Khabeishvili, a prominent UNM leader, by gathering compromising material to discredit him and the party[1][5]. Tsanava and his party see these actions as politically motivated, alleging blackmail and abuse of power by the Security Service[1].
The UNM has demanded an investigation into these claims, warning that if no inquiry were launched, Tsanava’s detention would confirm that he is a political prisoner[1]. As of the latest reports, the Georgian government has not publicly commented on these corruption and fraud allegations beyond confirming Tsanava’s detention and charges. The State Security Service has not responded to requests for comment.
The case against Tsanava continues, with the SSG claiming evidence of attempted large-scale fraud. According to Prosecutor Giorgi Kavsadze, Tsanava offered to secure a one-year Georgian residence permit for $5,600[6]. The alleged transaction involved a foreign citizen, TBC Bank, and an undisclosed amount of money.
Tsanava's lawyer, Lasha Tkhesheladze, called the charges fabricated and argued for Tsanava's release[4]. He claimed the foreign nationals involved were agent-provocateurs who reported the incident to the State Security Service rather than the police.
In court, Tsanava declared that he would never cooperate with such an offer, stating that honor and loyalty come first for him[7]. He also claimed 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[1]. The top SSS boss whom Levan Khabeishvili has mentioned multiple times is Anri Okhanashvili, who is allegedly angry with Levan.
The crime is punishable by a fine or six to nine years in prison. Lasha Tsanava has been ordered to be held in custody pending trial by Tbilisi City Court[8]. The case includes covert audio and video evidence, and it remains to be seen how this will unfold in the coming days.
In the aftermath of his arrest, Lasha Tsanava alleges that the State Security Service attempted to coerce him into becoming a informant by offering money and freedom, specifically to gather compromising material on Levan Khabeishvili, a prominent leader in the United National Movement (UNM), which the UNM sees as a politically motivated move. The ongoing case against Tsanava, involving charges of immigration/residence permit fraud and attempted large-scale fraud, encompasses general-news and crime-and-justice aspects.
