UNM Politician Levan Varshalomidze Detained in Kazakhstan, Released Later
Levan Varshalomidze, a UNM politician, was briefly detained in Kazakhstan allegedly at Russia’s request but has since been released. He faces accusations from Moscow related to Ukraine, which party members claim are unfounded. Varshalomidze has played significant political roles in Georgia and Ukraine and is currently navigating ongoing legal issues.
The United National Movement (UNM) reported a brief detention of politician Levan Varshalomidze at an airport in Kazakhstan, allegedly at Russia’s request. The party announced this development on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, it was confirmed that Varshalomidze was released, although legal proceedings continue concerning the matter. Levan Antadze, a leader within the party, expressed optimism regarding a favorable outcome soon.
Varshalomidze, a supporter of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, held significant political roles in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara from 2004 to 2012. His credentials also include various governmental positions in Ukraine under Presidents Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who appointed him head of the Investment Fund in 2020.
UNM officials have indicated that Russia has initiated a criminal case against Varshalomidze, accusing him of involvement in military actions in Ukraine. Gia Baramidze, a fellow party member, asserted that these allegations are false, emphasizing Varshalomidze’s role in aiding Ukraine through his leadership in the investment council rather than engaging in combat.
Although details surrounding the Russian request remain undisclosed, prior reports suggested Varshalomidze was among a hundred Georgian nationals for whom Moscow had issued search warrants due to alleged mercenary activities. Tina Bokuchava, another party member, underscored Varshalomidze’s contributions to both Georgia and Ukraine, suggesting that these accomplishments have led to his persecution by Russia.
Antadze noted that Varshalomidze has retained legal representation and that officials from both the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ukrainian authorities are facilitating communication with Kazakh officials during this incident. Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from the Georgian Foreign Ministry following the incident were unsuccessful as of the publication date.
The detainment and subsequent release of Levan Varshalomidze underscore the complexities involving political figures amidst geopolitical tensions. His connections with Russian accusations and contributions to Ukraine reveal the intricate dynamics at play, as he navigates the realms of politics in both Georgia and Ukraine while facing legal challenges purportedly orchestrated by Russia.
Original Source: oc-media.org
