Ex-pres. Saakashvili switched off after addressing court in Ukrainian

A judge switched off the video link after the imprisoned former president on Thursday decided to address the audience in the Ukrainian language, “as a citizen of the country”, during a trial hearing on granting his release on medical grounds or the postponement of his sentence. 

Unlike previous cases, the penitentiary service ensured Saakashvili’s engaged in the process via a video link. However, the judge said he could speak only in Georgian. 

The judge also dismissed the lawyers’ motion to allow Saakashvili take off his shirt and show the public his body, stressing he could address the audience alone, without other actions. 

Lawyers claimed Saakashvili could not participate in the trial after the break, as he felt bad. 

The break was announced due to technical problems. 

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said the public had witnessed “talentless simulation” by Saakashvili during the trial hearing. 

The authorities believe the former official, who was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, is engaged in “self-harm” to achieve his “illegal release” from prison. 

Saakashvili is now serving his six-year-sentence for abuse of power while in office.