MP Sharashidze: We have no objection to Transparency International Georgia not listing Saakashvili as political prisoner

Giorgi Sharashidze, a member of the For Georgia party, said Transparency International Georgia’s decision not to refer to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili as a political prisoner does not raise objections from his party.

Sharashidze said Saakashvili bears responsibility for several crimes against the Georgian people and should be held accountable.

“Our position has always been that Mikheil Saakashvili is not a political prisoner. Therefore, any attempt to classify him as one is incorrect. I do not know what specific interests Saakashvili has regarding this non-governmental organization, but we have no objection to the fact that he is not mentioned as a political prisoner,” Sharashidze said.

According to him, Saakashvili “is responsible for a number of crimes committed against the Georgian people and is obliged to answer for them.”

The statement comes after the United National Movement criticized a report by Transparency International Georgia on the situation of political prisoners in Georgia, claiming that the document ignored Saakashvili’s “political prisoner status” and political persecution against him.