Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia arrests UNM leader Giorgi Baramidze on charges of treason and sabotage

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia on Friday arrested Giorgi Baramidze, one of the leaders of the opposition United National Movement party, on charges of treason and sabotage.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said it would issue an official statement on the case at 7:00 p.m.

The arrest follows an investigation launched last month by the Prosecutor General’s Office, triggered by remarks made by Baramidze regarding the Abkhazia conflict and the prisoner exchange process.

The investigation was opened after the State Service for Veterans’ Affairs called on relevant law enforcement authorities to examine Baramidze’s statements within the scope of their legal authority and take appropriate action if necessary.

The probe is being conducted under Articles 307 and 318 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concern treason and actions that create a threat to Georgia’s state interests.