Nika Melia, the head of the United National Movement opposition party, on Monday announced rallies in eight cities of Georgia on Wednesday, as well abroad, to “reach our voice to the civilized world” and “save” currently imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili. 

He noted demonstrations would be held in the cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, Rustavi, Gori, Telavi and Ozurgeti, as well as at Georgian embassies abroad .  

"2022 was one of the most difficult years for Georgia and its friend Ukraine. This year will go down in history for Ukraine as a year of struggle, resistance and victory, while for Georgia, as the year when the country found itself at a historical crossroads, when it has to choose between light and darkness, future and past, Europe and Russia, life and death”, he said. 

Saakashvili, a citizen  of Ukraine and the third president of Georgia, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 after eight-years in self-imposed political exile, now serving his six-year-sentence for abuse of power while in office. 

A trial hearing on granting his release or the postponement of the rest of his sentence on medical grounds has been postponed to January 9. 

Saakashvili and his entourage claim the former president is in “urgent” need of “proper treatment” abroad, while the Georgian Dream authorities say the former official is engaged in “self-harm” to escape justice.