Ex-Pres Saakashvili claims his goal is to bring new generation to power, not return himself

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said his objective is not to return to power personally but to help bring a new generation of political leaders to government.

Speaking by video link during a court hearing on Wednesday, Saakashvili compared his situation to that of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, all of whom returned to political office after imprisonment.

"I will leave this prison as Nelson Mandela did. But my function is not to return to power myself. My function is to bring an entirely new generation of people with a different way of thinking to power," Saakashvili said.

He added that his political movement aimed to restore Georgia's independent course and rapid development, while promising a government focused on rebuilding the country rather than political retribution.

"Our government will not be defined by constant reports from courtrooms and prison gates or by the demolition of buildings. It will be about construction and development," he said.

Saakashvili also called on supporters to become better organised and take greater initiative, arguing that they should reject what he described as the role of victims.

Referring to the recent assault on comedian Onise Okriashvili, Saakashvili questioned why bystanders had not intervened and urged supporters to respond more actively to intimidation.

Saakashvili, who has been imprisoned since 2021, is facing multiple criminal cases, all of which he rejects as politically motivated.