Levan Varshalomidze of the UNM was detained in Kazakhstan at Russia’s request but has since been released. He is accused by Moscow of involvement in combat operations in Ukraine, which the UNM denies. The situation illustrates the strain of geopolitical tensions concerning former Georgian officials engaged in Ukraine, amid continuing legal concerns and ongoing communication with foreign authorities.
The opposition party United National Movement (UNM) reports that its member Levan Varshalomidze was recently detained at an airport in Kazakhstan, allegedly at the behest of Russia. This incident occurred while Varshalomidze was crossing the border and was communicated to the media by the UNM on Tuesday evening. By Wednesday afternoon, Levan Antadze, head of the party’s Batumi branch, announced Varshalomidze’s release, although he noted that legal processes were still ongoing.
Varshalomidze is a notable ally of former President Mikheil Saakashvili and served as the head of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara during UNM’s tenure from 2004 to 2012. He has also held various state roles in Ukraine under presidents Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskyi, including his appointment in 2020 as head of the Ukrainian Investment Fund.
UNM members revealed in interviews that a criminal case had been filed against Varshalomidze in Russia, leading to his detention in Kazakhstan upon Moscow’s request. Gia Baramidze, a party member, asserted that Moscow alleged Varshalomidze was involved in “combat operations” in Ukraine, claims that Baramidze categorically denied, emphasizing Varshalomidze’s non-involvement in military actions.
While the UNM did not disclose the source of their information regarding the Russian request, Russian media previously indicated that Varshalomidze was among 100 Georgians wanted by Moscow for alleged mercenary activities. Tina Bokuchava, another UNM member, stated that Varshalomidze’s contributions to Georgia and Ukraine have made him a target of Russian persecution.
Antadze informed that Varshalomidze had retained legal counsel and noted cooperation between the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukrainian officials, and Kazakh authorities regarding his case. However, specific details around his release were not elaborated on, and OC Media’s request for comment from the Georgian Foreign Ministry remain unanswered. In recent years, Varshalomidze has actively participated in Georgian politics, serving as a parliament member in 2020 and contesting the UNM leadership in 2020, though he ultimately lost to Nika Melia.
The incident involving Levan Varshalomidze highlights the tensions between Russia and Georgia, as well as the implications of international political involvement on individuals’ lives. Varshalomidze’s previous contributions to both Georgian and Ukrainian governance underscore the complexity of his situation. His brief detention and subsequent release spotlight ongoing issues related to legal processes and geopolitical relations within the region.
Original Source: oc-media.org
