Opposition Figure Remains in Prison
Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s former president, was sentenced to 9 years in prison for embezzlement of budgetary funds. This decision has been widely criticized by the opposition.
The verdict came after a court trial that many believe was unfair and controlled by the current regime. Petre Tsiskarishvili, General Secretary of the United National Movement, spoke out against the ruling. He said the regime is afraid of Saakashvili as a main opposition figure and is doing everything to keep him in prison.
Tsiskarishvili pointed out that similar expenses are still being made today, but no one is being punished for them. He claimed that the judge was simply carrying out orders from the regime and acted as a PR propagandist for Georgian Dream.
The charges against Saakashvili include misusing funds for various expenses both in Georgia and abroad. However, he is not accused of taking money for himself or embezzling it. The trial included expenses such as buying a ‘Red Bull’ for Hillary Clinton, which Tsiskarishvili called shameful.
Saakashvili’s former head of the Special State Protection Service (SSPS), Teimuraz Janashia, was fined 300,000 GEL.
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge