“Salome Zourabichvili’s one signature can return the father to my children and, most importantly, restore political balance in Georgia,” said former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, attending his trial at the Tbilisi City Court remotely via a video link.

According to Saakashvili, Salome Zurabishvili expressed the right thoughts about the Russian oligarchy in an interview with Le Monde.

“I want to respond to Madam Salome Zourabichvili. First, I would like to congratulate her for her correct statements in an interview with Le Monde. She correctly emphasized the Russian oligarchy. At the same time, Le Monde, in its editorial, called on Salome Zourabichvili to exercise the right of pardon. By the way, almost all the heads of state she met recently urged her to do this. Unlike Macron, Zelensky and other leaders who call for this, I do not want to demand something from Salome Zourabichvili, I want to answer some of her points. She claims that as I say, I am physically better. I feel better spiritually, I’m very encouraged because, at the end of the day, I believe we have the power. I want us to win by uniting these forces. Of course, I am mentally stronger, unfortunately, the doctors cannot confirm that I am better physically. Madame Salome exclaims that I no longer have the desire to go abroad. The point is that it does not depend on my desire. Unfortunately, my rehabilitation requires me to stay outside of Georgia for some time. This is true, and, of course, Mrs. Salome can return the father of my children with one signature and, most importantly, restore political balance in Georgia.

Madam Salome claims that Mikheil Saakashvili is conducting his election campaign from there. Madam Salome and I both attended Columbia University. I don’t think anyone at Columbia taught her that one form of campaigning is campaigning from behind bars. She says it’s normal, he is already campaigning, what’s the problem? When she says, there are two more cases against me, and what can I do? Madam Salome, you have the opportunity to absolve yourself of responsibility for this. Two more cases or 30 proceedings initiated against me in the future will be the responsibility of the Russian oligarch and his bosses in Russia. Why do you take on this responsibility, especially since you have the courage and you can, if you want, take very active steps? You have great international support for this. Of course, they cannot wait until you are no longer president. They have already prepared Tsulukiani for the presidency, and they need her to ensure that none of the arrested individuals, including myself, are ever released. You also face imprisonment. Before the elections, Kaladze is being groomed to become the prime minister in preparation for internal regrouping during difficult times,” said Mikheil Saakashvili.