Georgian opposition leader, former Tbilisi mayor Gigi Ugulava says that Georgia is in need of a large-scale, political amnesty which will cover a period starting 2000 up to now. 

He says that the move will prevent ‘continued ‘prosecution’ of former politicians, ease a burden on the court, decrease polarization and allow the country to focus on future development. 

Former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after eight years in political exile, has also called on the government ‘to act reasonably’ and take a step to a ‘national reconciliation.’ 

Saakashvili is sentenced to six years in prison for abuse of power and has been charged with five other offences. 

Ugulava also had to spend several years in prison under the Georgian Dream government for embezzlement of state funds.