The Georgian government has taken another step away from the European Union, according to European Parliament member Petras Auštrevičius, who criticized the latest prison sentence handed down to former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
“Tbilisi’s regime is desperate to keep President M. Saakashvili under all possible pressure and hands over another 9 years prison sentence. By this, the Georgian Government distanced itself another 9 steps away from the EU,” Auštrevičius wrote on social media.
On March 12, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Saakashvili to nine years in prison for embezzling state funds. Later, Judge Mikheil Jincharadze added an additional four years and six months for illegally crossing the border, bringing his total prison term to 12 years and six months. Saakashvili has also been banned from holding government office for three years after his release.
The European Parliament has repeatedly called for Saakashvili’s unconditional release, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and politically motivated charges.
