Georgia’s opposition leader alleges ‘purge’ within ruling party

Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of Georgia’s largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), has claimed the ruling Georgian Dream party was undergoing an internal “purge” marked by financial extortion, travel bans, and power struggles.

Khabeishvili claimed that several high-profile figures within the Georgian Dream circle have been sidelined or effectively placed under house arrest, allegedly as part of efforts to extract large sums of money for undisclosed purposes.

“Liluashvili [former head of State Security Service], has been fined and told to bring $100 million. He is banned from leaving the house, from travelling abroad, from appearing in public – he is practically imprisoned,” Khabeishvili said. He added that Tornike Rizhvadze, the former head of the Adjara government, faced a similar situation, allegedly under pressure to deliver $300 million and seeking loans to meet the demand.

The opposition leader went on to suggest that former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was also facing significant trouble, especially following the arrest of Romeo Mikautadze, a close associate described by Khabeishvili as Garibashvili’s “pocket”.

Khabeishvili claimed Mamuka Mdinaradze, a senior ruling party figure, was orchestrating a de facto coup within the party. “Mdinaradze has been promoted at Ivanishvili’s door and now plays the role of the main ‘language provider’, managing internal communications and financial expectations,” he said, referring to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the GD honorary chair. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was portrayed as attempting to shield Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, though Khabeishvili warned that Kaladze, too, would soon face financial demands.

Former Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri was also mentioned, with Khabeishvili alleging that he was now being summoned for questioning regarding past actions in office.