UNM Politician Levan Varshalomidze Detained in Kazakhstan and Released

Levan Varshalomidze, a member of the United National Movement, was briefly detained in Kazakhstan at Russia’s request, according to the party’s claims. He has since been released, but legal issues remain unresolved. Varshalomidze is known for his political ties to both Georgia and Ukraine, raising concerns about the implications of his detention.

The United National Movement (UNM) has reported that one of its politicians, Levan Varshalomidze, was temporarily detained at an airport in Kazakhstan while crossing the border. The party alleges that the detention resulted from a request from Russian authorities. UNM announced Varshalomidze’s detention in a statement to journalists, while by Wednesday afternoon, party member Levan Antadze confirmed that Varshalomidze had been released but indicated that legal proceedings were still underway.

Levan Varshalomidze served as the head of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara’s government during the UNM’s administration from 2004 to 2012 and is considered a close associate of former President Mikheil Saakashvili. Additionally, he held several state positions in Ukraine under Presidents Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskyi, including being appointed as the head of Ukraine’s Investment Fund in 2020.

Several UNM members claimed in interviews that a criminal case had been initiated against Varshalomidze in Russia and that his detention was requested by Moscow. UNM member Gia Baramidze suggested that the accusations against Varshalomidze regarding his involvement in combat operations in Ukraine were unfounded, asserting that he significantly supported Ukraine in his capacity as the head of the investment council.

The UNM has not cited a specific source for its claims about the Russian request, but past reports from Russian media indicated that Varshalomidze was among a group of 100 Georgian nationals sought by Moscow for alleged mercenary actions. UNM member Tina Bokuchava stated that Varshalomidze has contributed significantly to both Georgia and Ukraine, suggesting that this was the reason for his persecution by Russian authorities.

Antadze mentioned that Varshalomidze was being assisted by legal representation, and ongoing communication between the Georgian and Ukrainian authorities with Kazakh officials was established. However, he did not elaborate on the particulars of Varshalomidze’s release. Although OC Media sought a statement from the Georgian Foreign Ministry, there was no response by the time of publication.

In recent years, Varshalomidze has maintained an active role in Georgian politics. After being elected to parliament in 2020, he opted not to retain his position following the controversial 2021 local elections. Additionally, he contested the UNM leadership election in 2020 but was defeated by Nika Melia.

The temporary detention of Levan Varshalomidze, a prominent member of the United National Movement, raises concerns regarding political repression stemming from Russian influence. Although he has been released, the ongoing legal issues and accusations against him highlight the complex political landscape in the region. Varshalomidze’s commitment to both Georgia and Ukraine is emphasized by his party, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by opposition figures in the context of regional politics.

Original Source: oc-media.org