Mikheil Saakashvili, the currently imprisoned former President of Georgia, on Tuesday claimed more than 100,000 signatures had been collected for his release “in just a few days”. 

"Despite the cold and rain, people continue to come to the offices, and soon this number may significantly increase, possibly doubling or even tripling”, Saakashvili said in his social media post, extending gratitude to his representative Sophio Japaridze for the initiative. 

He further noted the signature campaign “once again underscores the frustration and yearning for change among people who are tired of despair and long for a better life in their own country."

“Each signature is a tremendous source of encouragement for me, fueling my determination to continue the fight. Please, hold on a little longer”, Saakashvili concluded.

The third President of Georgia was arrested in October 2021 in Tbilisi on his clandestine return after eight years, and is now serving his six-year-term for abuse of power while in office in two separate cases, while three other cases involving him are still pending. 

Saakashvili currently holds only Ukrainian citizenship and held a public post there before being arrested ahead of municipal elections in Georgia.