Ex-Pres Saakashvili criticises his successor Zourabichvili’s past stance during court appearance

Georgia’s third president Mikheil Saakashvili has criticised former president Salome Zourabichvili over what he described as her past statements on the 2008 war with Russia, speaking during a court hearing.

Saakashvili said remarks previously attributed to Zourabichvili echoed claims that Georgian aircraft had bombed a village in the Shida Kartli region, adding that a country should not be accused of bombing itself.

He said her earlier views had been mistaken and suggested it would be appropriate for her to acknowledge that publicly.

During his wider address, Saakashvili also commented on Georgia’s current political opposition and the governing Georgian Dream party, saying political actors should focus on helping the country rather than pursuing personal interests.

He praised individuals who, he said, had faced imprisonment or legal pressure for political reasons, and called for unity among opposition-minded voters.

Saakashvili also repeated his demand for elections, saying he remained a leading political figure with broad public support.