Why do we want our strategic port to be controlled by the Chinese and the economic zone in Rustavi to be handed over to the Kazakhs? We need to ensure that Georgia is in the hands of Georgians,” said Mikheil Saakashvili, the jailed former President who participated remotely in today’s trial.

Saakashvili emphasized that the country’s fate for the next 20-25 years will be determined in October, and it is crucial to make the right choice.

“Today in Georgia, the focus on people is missing. We planned the Lazika port in Anaklia to employ Samegrelo in high-paying jobs. They decided to bring in the Chinese and let them replace the Georgians. Why do we want our stable port in Chinese hands? Apart from danger, misery, and poverty, what does this bring? The economic zone in Rustavi, which we created to employ 60,000 people, has now been handed over completely to the Kazakhs. A Georgian person is not protected in his country. We must return Georgia to the citizens of Georgia, to the Georgians,” Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili also highlighted that during his time in office, more people returned to the country than left, whereas, under the current government, 800,000 Georgians have left Georgia.

“If this trend continues, Georgia will be devoid of Georgians. The Chinese will inhabit Anaklia, the Kazakhs will occupy Rustavi, and Georgians will have no place left in their own country,” Mikheil Saakashvili concluded.