“Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement is not vague but serves a specific political purpose. His statement is disturbing as it is inadmissible to involve the military in political games. It is dangerous,” former Head of Georgia’s Defence Forces Vladimer Chachibaia told Georgian First Channel on Monday.

Vladimer Chachibaia urges politicians to refrain from making similar statements involving Georgian soldiers.

“The army is separate from politics, and Saakashvili’s statement over the army’s involvement in politics is dangerous. The army has been apolitical since 2012, and the result is that the Georgian Dream did not win several constituencies in the specific elections. Although, no one was punished and expelled from the army for this reason against practices before 2012. Until 2012, polling stations were located in the Georgian Defense Forces bases, and all commanders were under pressure. Today, no polling stations are in the military units. All soldiers have freedom of choice,” Vladimer Chachibaia underscored.

Earlier today, former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili called on “praiseworthy military servicemen, firstly, as citizens, to take part in the elections to fulfil a civic duty” as “Georgia needs to be saved.”

In a Facebook statement, Saakashvili put hope on military servicemen for their “patriotism” and “uniqueness.” He also pinned hope on “hero veterans, the Armed Forces.”