Lawyers to request daily trials on ex-pres. Saakashvili’s release

The lawyers of imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili have plans to appeal to a court with the motion to schedule trial hearings on the release of the former top official on medical grounds or the postponement of the rest of his sentence the court to deliver its verdict in a timely manner, lawyer Shalva Khachapuridze said on Thursday. 

The hearing is scheduled later today in Tbilisi City Court. 

“Witnesses will appear when the trial starts, then we will name them. As for the petition, we will have it until the end of the process to schedule trials on a daily basis, since Saakashvili’s condition has worsened, he is literally no longer receiving any treatment”, the lawyer said. 

He claimed the government was taking “no genuine” steps for Saakashvili’s recovery. 

On their part, the authorities claim Saakashvili is engaged in self-harm to escape justice. 

The former president, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 on his clandestine return, and is now serving his six-year-term for abuse of power while in office.