Ex-Pres.Saakashvili’s trial on embezzlement postponed due to his health

A trial on embezzlement of state funds in large quantities involving the country’s imprisoned third President Mikheil Saakashvili was postponed on Tuesday due to the defendant’s health. 

Judge Badri Kochlamazashvili considered Saakashvili’s request not to hold the trial without his presence. However, the judge refused to consider the lawyers’ motion to allow a group of medical experts to see Saakashvili. 

The Lawyers said that Saakashvili’s and their motion did not contradict as the judge said this, as Saakashvili wished to see the part of the trial postponed which concerned the accusations, while the lawyers wanted the judge to respond to the issue related to the former president’s health. 

The lawyers claimed that in general, the admission of health experts to an inmate did not need a court approval. However, as the problem remained ignored (by proper state agencies) for almost five months, they were forced to apply to the judge. 

Saakashvili, who was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 after eight years in political exile, is currently undergoing treatment in Vivamedi Clinic of Tbilisi which had been offered by the country’s Justice Ministry. 

However, his family and lawyers claim that Saakashvili is in need of a group of independent medical experts as the health of the former president “has significantly deteriorated.” 

The Georgia Justice Ministry said that all necessary services had been ensured for the former president. 

Saakashvili is now serving his term for abuse of power in which he was convicted in absentia back in 2018. 

He also faces several other  charges.