Levan Khabeishvili

Levan Khabeishvili was born on May 7, 1987. At the age of 20, he joined public administration and was appointed as Head of the Youth Affairs Department of the Isani-Samgori District in Tbilisi, at the time under the solid control of the United National Movement. In 2010, he graduated in business management from the Minor Academy of Sciences of Georgia.{{Cite web |url=https://parliament.ge/parliament-members/7074/biography |title=Official Biography |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Parliament of Georgia}}

In 2010, Levan Khabeishvili became a member of the Sports Monitoring Service of the City of Tbilisi. In 2012, he became a staffer at the administration of President Mikheil Saakashvili, indicating a significant rise in his political status. Following Saakashvili's departure from office in 2013, he was appointed as Deputy Head of the Social Services and Culture Service of the City of Tbilisi by Mayor Gigi Ugulava.

During the 2014 municipal elections, Khabeishvili was nominated by UNM as its candidate in for the City Assembly's Samgori district, although he lost to GD's Ia Makasarashvili after receiving 33.8% of the vote.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2014/1463 |title=Initial CEC results: Ruling political party are Tbilisi favourites |date=2014-06-16 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Agenda.ge}} That year's ultimate defeat of UNM resulted in Khabeishvili leaving the public sector to join political activism. He routinely made controversial statements against the Georgian Dream-led government, often being accused of promoting "unfounded conspiracy theories" or populistic ideals, including by alleging that Cartu Bank had been set up by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to launder money,{{Cite web |url=http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3976_september_20_2017/3976_tea.html |title=UNM opposition accuses Cartu Bank of money laundering |date=2017-09-20 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}} calling for the resignation of the government's economic council for failing to address poverty in the country,{{Cite web |url=https://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3364_may_6_2015/3364_rally.html |title=Rally with the demand of resignation of Economical Team was held |date=2015-05-16 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}} and calling the distribution of 745,000 GEL in bonuses to members of the High Council of Justice a form of corruption.{{Cite web |url=https://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/3826_february_20_2017/3826_tea1.html |title=HCoJ received 745,000 Gel as bonus |date=2017-02-20 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}}

He briefly left UNM in 2016 to join New Georgia, a novel political party founded by former UNM official and Deputy Justice Minister Giorgi Vashadze. When New Georgia joined the State for the People electoral block led by opera singer Paata Burchuladze, Khabeishvili was placed in 10th position on the SfP's electoral list{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/125787 |title=State for People Election Bloc’s List of MP Candidates |date=2016-09-28 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Civil Georgia}} and was the bloc's nominee for the Parliament Majoritarian District of Samgori, facing 13 other candidates, including TV host Giorgi Mosidze (GD) and City Assembly member Irakli Nadiradze (UNM).{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/125706 |title=List of Majoritarian MP Candidates |date=2016-10-01 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Civil Georgia}} He finished in third position with 7.9%.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/125841 |title=Majoritarian MP Elections Preliminary Results |date=2016-11-10 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Civil Georgia}}

Joining back UNM after his defeat in 2016, he was elected to the Tbilisi City Assembly during the 2017 local elections as part of the party's electoral list. In the Assembly, he became one of the most vocal critiques of Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who himself accused Khabeishvili of staging "political shows to score points".{{Cite web |url=https://georgiatoday.ge/kaladze-i-am-ready-to-cooperate-with-all-political-parties-represented-in-city-council/ |title=Kaladze: I am ready to Cooperate with all Political Parties Represented in City Council |date=2021-11-25 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Georgia Today}} Most notably, he criticized the mayor's decision to abolish the Land Zoning Board and 19 other regulatory councils,{{Cite web |url=http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/4028_december_1_2017/4028_tea1.html |title=Opposition Slams Tbilisi Mayor for Abolishing Regulatory Council |date=2017-12-01 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}} while accusing local officials of corruption by handing out public contracts to political figures close to Georgian Dream.{{Cite web |url=http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/4097_march_13_2018/4097_tea.html |title=Opposition Slams Tbilisi City Hall for Money Transaction to Pro-GD Politician |date=2018-03-13 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}} In 2017, he accused real estate developer LISI Green Town of secretly burning down trees close to Tbilisi's Lisi Lake, which the company denied.{{Cite web |url=https://oc-media.org/tbilisi-lisi-lake-trees-intentionally-damaged/ |title=Tbilisi Lisi Lake trees ‘intentionally damaged’ |date=2017-05-01 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=OC Media}} At a more national level, he accused the Central Election Commission of budgetary waste by organizing international trips, an accusation that the CEC directly responded to as being "wrongful".{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/249214 |title=Opposition Coalition Accuses CEC of Corruption, Nepotism |date=2018-08-15 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Civil Georgia}} During the COVID-19-related lockdown in Georgia that involved the ban of vehicle transport, he revealed footage of former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze driving a car, in violation of the state of emergency.{{Cite web |url=https://oc-media.org/georgian-opposition-demand-answers-after-former-official-breaches-driving-ban/ |title=Georgian opposition demand answers after former official ‘breaches driving ban’ |date=2020-04-20 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=OC Media}} He also sought to raise awareness on corruption in other parts of Georgia, once organizing a protest against the prefect of Bakuriani for a self-distributed bonus.{{Cite web |url=https://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/4093_march_7_2018/4093_news_in_brief.html |title=Verbal conflict emerges between Bakuriani governor and opposition |date=2018-03-07 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}}

Levan Khabeishvili often used national controversies to organize protests. He was one of UNM's leaders to launch demonstrations in June 2018 against the Georgian Government over the killing of two teenagers during a street fight in Downtown Tbilisi, protests during which he was arrested for insulting police officers.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2018/1253 |title=UPDATED: Police detain 9 at rally in Tbilisi, two are opposition members |date=2018-06-11 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Agenda.ge}} In December 2019, he led protests that called for the resignation of Tbilisi City Assemblyman Erekle Kukhianidze (GD) who had publicly criticized Vazha Gaprindashvili, a Georgian doctor that had been jailed by Russian forces in South Ossetia seeking to provide care in the separatist region.{{Cite web |url=https://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/4549_december_18_2019/4549_edit.html |title=Protesters demand resignation of GD Sakrebulo member for insulting doctor Gaprindashvili, the ruling team takes no actions |date=2019-12-18 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Messenger}}

On January 24, 2020, Levan Khabeishvili was involved in a physical confrontation during a City Assembly commission meeting. In the middle of a speech, three GD City Assemblymen (Alexandre Khujadze, Avtandil Tsintsadze and Tarash Shurgaia) assaulted him, resulting in injuries sustained to his face and a black eye. On his way out of the Assembly building, Khabeishvili himself assaulted GD Assemblyman Irakli Zarkua. Khujadze, Tsintsadze, Shurgaia and Khabeishvili would each be charged by the Prosecutor's Office, although the case never went to court.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/336970 |title=Three Tbilisi Sakrebulo Members from Ruling Party Charged over Violence against Opposition Member |date=2020-01-31 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Civil Georgia}} The ruling Georgian Dream's response at the time proved to be controversial, as it sought to justify its members' attack on Khabeishvili.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/239 |title=Clash at Tbilisi City Assembly: opposition member receives eye injury [VIDEO] |date=2020-01-24 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Agenda.ge}}

{{see also|2020 Georgian parliamentary election}}

On June 19, 2020, Levan Khabeishvili was nominated a group of more than a dozen opposition parties as nominee for the Parliament Majoritarian District of Samgori,{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/356633 |title=Opposition Parties Agree to Run Joint Candidates in 6 Single-Mandate Districts |date=2020-06-18 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} while appearing as 35th on UNM's electoral list.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/372434 |title=UNM-led Bloc Unveils Proportional-Party List |date=2020-10-01 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} He ran against 16 candidates, including GD's Sozar Subari, a former cabinet minister, and far-right activist Guram Palavandishvili.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/377815 |title=490 MP Candidates to Run in 30 Majoritarian Constituencies |date=2020-10-29 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} In September, he reported a "raid" on his campaign headquarters and the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched an investigation which did not result in any arrests.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/363949 |title=ARCHIVED: Georgia’s October 31, 2020 Parliamentary Election Live Blog |date=2020-11-30 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} According to the civil society organization Georgian Young Lawyers Association, one of his campaign volunteers was assaulted by GD activists.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/378389 |title=GYLA Releases Third Interim Report on October Elections |date=2020-10-30 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} Winning 39.2% in the first round, he moved to a runoff against Subari,{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/379735 |title=GD Wins 14 Majoritarian Districts, Runoffs Expected in 16 |date=2020-11-01 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} although, like other opposition nominees, he boycotted the second round after allegations surfaced of massive voter fraud. In the runoff, he only received 11.3%,{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/384071 |title=All Votes Tallied: GD Wins All 17 Runoffs Amid Opposition Boycott |date=2020-11-22 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} but nonetheless won a seat in Parliament from UNM's proportional party list.

Throughout the campaign and although a member of UNM, he remained a financial contributor of SfP, now under UNM's electoral bloc.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/372978 |title=Watchdog on UNM Bloc Majoritarian Candidates’ Donations, Business Activities |date=2020-10-04 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}}

Levan Khabeishvili was one of dozens of MPs to not recognize the results of the 2020 legislative elections and participated in a boycott and large-scale protests calling for new elections. In one of those demonstrations, he set up tents to block the entrance to Parliament in February 2021 and was temporarily arrested by the police, despite his parliamentary immunity.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/460 |title=Police detain 20 during clashes in front of parliament |date=2021-02-19 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} His call for repeat polls was criticized by fellow opposition MP Levan Ioseliani of the Citizens' Party.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/1348 |title=Parliament Vice Speaker: "no precondition" for early Parliamentary elections in Georgia |date=2022-04-19 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} When UNM Chairman Nika Melia had his parliamentary immunity lifted, thus setting up a future arrest, Khabeishvili threatened to respond to the authorities with force.{{Cite web |url=https://jam-news.net/one-of-the-leaders-of-the-opposition-in-georgia-under-threat-of-arrest/ |title=Georgian opposition leader faces arrest after parliament revokes MP status |date=2021-02-16 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=JamNews}} He put an end to his boycott along with the rest of UNM after a short-lived EU-facilitated agreement between the opposition and Georgian Dream in April 2021.

Since then, Levan Khabeishvili has been a member of the Agricultural Affairs Committee. He has been one of the least present MPs, only taking part in less than 2% of votes since taking office.

Khabeishvili reiterated his calls for new legislative elections after the return and subsequent arrest of exiled former president Mikheil Saakashvili in October 2021, taking part in large rallies organized for his release.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/3006 |title=UNM MP announces ‘large-scale’ demonstration for release of arrested ex-president Saakashvili |date=2021-10-05 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} More controversially, he called on blocking the entrances to all state buildings and "throwing out" members of Georgian Dream from their cabinets.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/3482 |title=UNM plans to block state buildings, streets, ‘throw’ GD members out, ‘in accordance with law’ |date=2021-11-08 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} On November 9, 2021, he led a massive rally in front of the State Chancellery during which he engaged in a confrontation with police officers as he attempted to spray paint the words "Free Misha" (a slogan used by activists supporting the release of Saakashvili) on the ground.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/3493 |title=What is happening at UNM protest rally in front of government’s administration? [VIDEO] |date=2021-11-09 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}}

Levan Khabeishvili has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, often accusing the Georgian government of secretly working with Russia to avoid sanctions. In one example, he accused the authorities of violating the international sanctions regime by importing Russian oil, in response to which the government admitted the delivery of oil from a Russian company through the Port of Poti, although denying the source was subject to international sanctions.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/2799 |title=Georgian Revenue Service rejects "misinformation" about import of sanctioned oil through Russian-flagged steamship |date=2022-07-22 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} He has made public calls on Aragvi Impex, Wissol Group and Lukoil to stop the import of Russian oil.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/2838 |title=Economy Minister: Georgia does not buy sanctioned oil, abides by sanctions "with responsibility" |date=2022-07-25 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} He has connected the rhetoric by some GD officials against European and American politicians to the potential sanctioning of GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/489886 |title=Georgia’s Opposition Slams Ruling Party Over ‘Threatening U.S.’ |date=2022-05-11 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}}

After the death of a teenager on October 13, 2022 in Tbilisi's Vake Park after jumping in a newly renovated fountain with a malfunctioning electrical system, Khabeishvili filed a lawsuit against the city officials, claiming corruption benefiting public contractor Green Service was responsible for the faulty system.{{Cite web |url=https://georgiatoday.ge/opposition-mp-4-days-passed-since-vake-park-tragedy-no-one-has-been-punished/ |title=Opposition MP: 4 Days Passed Since Vake Park Tragedy, No One has been Punished |date=2022-10-18 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Georgia Today}}

During the 2021 local elections, Levan Khabeishvili endorsed Nika Melia's run for Mayor of Tbilisi and backed his plan to boost social welfare programs for children living under the line of poverty.{{Cite web |url=https://jam-news.net/are-children-in-georgia-hungry-and-do-they-need-free-meals-at-school/ |title=Are children in Georgia hungry and do they need free meals at school? |date=2021-10-23 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=JamNews}} When the State Security Service accused UNM of planning a coup through the murder of an unnamed opposition leader, he accused the authorities of seeking to influence the elections through "ramblings".{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/451172 |title=Security Service Alleges UNM-Linked Coup Conspiracy |date=2021-10-29 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} When former president Mikheil Saakashvili returned to Georgia and was subsequently arrested, he accused the government of engaging in "psychological pressure" against the former leader{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/453478 |title=Public Defender Slams Penitentiary Publishing Inmate Saakashvili’s Footage |date=2021-11-08 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} and during a protest he organized in front of the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate against Saakashvili's perceived poor treatment in jail, he was involved in a verbal confrontation with Tbilisi Police Deputy Director Teimuraz Kupatadze, while 46 activists were arrested that day.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/454137 |title=46 Detained at Opposition Rallies |date=2021-11-10 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} He has called on the authorities to allow doctors to make decisions related to Saakashvili's health.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/456600 |title=Justice Minister Offers Saakashvili Transfer to Military Hospital |date=2021-11-19 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}}

On January 18, 2022, he was selected as UNM's new Anti-Corruption Secretary during a reorganization of the party,{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/467402 |title=UNM Continues to Reorganize |date=2022-01-18 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} launching a nationwide campaign aiming at unveiling cases of corruption at the state and local levels.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/498772 |title=Opposition, Activists Accuse GD of Attacks During Protest Campaign |date=2022-06-30 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} He was notably met with verbal confrontations during meetings in Akhaltsikhe, Lanchkhuti and Ozurgeti, after which he stated that GD was "ready for violence". After five suspects were arrested in an international money laundering scheme in 2022 linked to call centers, Khabeishvili accused Russia-based and GD-affiliated businessman Ucha Mamatsashvili of benefiting from them under a legal cover provided by Grigol Liluashvili, the powerful head of the State Security Service.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/473660 |title=Five Arrested in Alleged International Fraud Scheme |date=2022-02-18 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Civil Georgia}} In response, Liluashvili sued Khabeishvili for defamation, while Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili accused Khabeishvili himself of benefiting from the call centers, although no evidence has provided to that effect.{{Cite web |url=https://jam-news.net/call-center-fraud-international-criminal-scheme-uncovered-in-georgia/ |title=Call center fraud: international criminal scheme uncovered in Georgia |date=2022-11-10 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=JamNews}}

On November 18, 2022, Levan Khabeishvili announced he would run for the chairmanship of UNM after a special election was scheduled due to questions on Nika Melia's capacity to lead the party, pledging to focus the party's resources on a campaign to release Saakashvili from prison.{{Cite web |url=https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/4487 |title=UNM opposition member announces run for party chair, vows "end" to internal divisions |date=2022-11-16 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Agenda.ge}} He is seen as having the backing of the Saakashvili's closest allies,{{Cite web |url=https://oc-media.org/misha-must-survive-saakashvili-supporters-rally-for-his-release/ |title=‘Misha must survive!’ — Saakashvili supporters rally for his release |date=2022-12-04 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=OC Media |last=Kincha |first=Shota}} including former Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili and former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.{{Cite web |url=http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/5288_november_24_2022/5288_edit1.html |title=How will main opposition party overcome its internal crisis? |date=2022-11-24 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=The Messenger |last=Matsaberidze |first=Malkhaz}} In response to his candidacy, Prime Minister Garibashvili called him a "clown".{{Cite web |url=https://jam-news.net/the-prime-minister-of-georgia-addresses-parliament/ |title="You are bitter and full of envy" – Georgia PM spoke in Parliament against the opposition |date=2022-11-19 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=JamNews}}

Khabeishvili defeated Melia and two other candidates and was elected as Chairman of the United National Movement on January 30, 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/522969 |title=Levan Khabeishvili Elected New UNM Chairman |date=2023-01-30 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Civil Georgia}} He took office following the party congress held on February 5.

His chairmanship has been mired with ongoing controversies surrounding his leadership style. Two members of his appointed Political Council resigned after his refusal to include previous party leaders. After floating an idea of abolishing the party in exchange for the release of Mikheil Saakashvili by the Georgian authorities, UNM's parliamentary leader Khatia Dekanoidze resigned and was replaced by Levan Bezhashvili, who announced a partywide parliamentary boycott when the Tbilisi Municipal Court refused to grant Saakashvili's plea for transfer abroad on medical grounds. On February 8, Khabeishvili announced a wave of nationwide protests against the Georgian government.

Since taking over the party's chairmanship, he has led a wave of internal reforms to encourage intra-party democracy. In May 2023, the party held municipal-level elections for local party leaders and members of UNM's Political Council, making the party the first in Georgia to have an elected executive body.

Khabeishvili's chairmanship coincided with two political crises over the introduction of the Transparency in Foreign Influence Act by Georgian Dream, a bill that much of the international community and civil society condemned as being "Russian-inspired" and threatening the independent work of civil society. Though large-scale protests, supported in part by UNM, forced GD to withdraw the bill in March 2023, it reintroduced it and eventually passed it in May 2024, causing a major crisis and massive demonstrations for weeks, as well as the sanctioning of GD leaders by the United States. During these protests, several UNM high-ranking officials were arrested, harassed, or violently assaulted. Khabeishvili himself was violently beaten on April 28, allegedly by members of the Interior Ministry's Special Forces Unit, a case that brought global attention to the situation in Georgia.{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/03/europe/georgia-russia-foreign-agent-europe-intl/index.html |title=Georgia rocked by protests as government pushes Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill |date=2024-05-04 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=CNN |last=Edwards |first=Christian}}

Citing a degradation to his health since the assault, Levan Khabeishvili resigned from the chairmanship of the United National Movement on June 8 and was replaced by fellow MP Tinatin Bokuchava. He announced his intention to run for the chairmanship of the party's Political Council.{{Cite web |url=https://civil.ge/archives/612083 |title=Tina Bokuchava to Replace Levan Khabeishvili as UNM Chair |date=2024-06-08 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Civil Georgia}}

• {{Cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/16/pro-eu-georgians-are-not-satanists-we-are-fighting-for-our-future |title=Pro-EU Georgians are not 'satanists'. We are fighting for our future |date=2023-03-16 |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=Euronews |last=Khabeishvili |first=Levan}}

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Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Parliament of Georgia

Category:United National Movement (Georgia) politicians

Category:Politicians from Tbilisi