UNM’s Pavlenishvili: Saakashvili to present political programme in court

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will present his political programme at a court hearing on Monday, United National Movement governing council chairman Irakli Pavlenishvili said.

He said Saakashvili intends to work with the Georgian people to create an “another era of development” and outline his vision for political change and the country’s current political situation.

Pavlenishvili also described Saakashvili as the “main opponent” and “main alternative” to the ruling Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, saying the former president had a “specific vision” for overcoming what he called the country’s current political crisis.

“Saakashvili has been in prison for five years not to leave this country to the [people he criticised],” Pavlenishvili said, adding that the former president intended to remain involved in Georgian politics.

Pavlenishvili also called on supporters to attend a rally scheduled for 1 October at 5pm near the Rike park in Tbilisi. 

Saakashvili has remained in prison since his arrest in October 2021. In March 2025, he was sentenced to four years and six months for illegally crossing Georgia’s state border; other convictions and sentences also remain in force.