Ex-Pres Saakashvili denied court participation amid media restrictions, opposition

The opposition United National Movement has accused Georgian authorities of barring former President Mikheil Saakashvili from addressing the public during a court hearing, citing recent legal changes that restrict media access to judicial proceedings.

Speaking on Friday, Petre Tsiskarishvili, Secretary General of the party, said that a request was submitted nearly a week ago seeking permission for Saakashvili to participate in the court process, but no response has been received from the authorities.

“This was an opportunity for him to address the public, and it has been taken away,” Tsiskarishvili said. “Against the background of repressive restrictions, the self-proclaimed government fears transparency, media presence, and public scrutiny of court hearings.”

He added that the former president has been denied the chance to make a personal statement, defend himself effectively, or present his views directly to the public - a move the opposition saw as part of a broader effort to silence dissent.

The criticism comes amid growing concerns over a controversial law that has curtailed media access to courtrooms, limiting coverage of politically sensitive cases.

Saakashvili, who served as Georgia’s president from 2004 to 2013, has been serving a prison sentence since 2021 and faces multiple charges which he and his supporters say are politically motivated.