Ex-President addresses his court in Georgian, Ukrainian via video link

14:43, 01.02.2023

The Tbilisi City Court, presided over by Judge Giorgi Arevadze, is holding a trial in the case of former President Mikheil Saakashvili to determine whether his sentence should be suspended or deferred.

The former president appeared in court via video link from the Vivamedi Clinic, during which he spoke in Georgian and Ukrainian.

“I have dedicated my entire life to Georgia, and all I want is to be treated properly. My health has deteriorated. If I do not live up to Ukraine’s imminent victory, my heart must be buried in Kyiv; it belongs to Ukraine,” he stated.

Saakashvili has been in jail for over a year, convicted of abuse of power while in office. Given Saakashvili’s rapidly deteriorating health, the Tbilisi City Court is considering whether his sentence should be suspended or deferred.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

Justice/Crime

Mikheil Saakashvili

Tbilisi City Court