Polish parliament vice-speaker vows efforts for imprisoned ex-pres. Saakashvili

I believe that we will finally be able to win this battle against the current government of Georgia and transfer Mikheil Saakashvili abroad for treatment – a great friend of Poland, the vice speaker of the Polish Seimas Malgorzata Goszewska Tweeted on Friday, following her meeting with Nona Mamualashvili, a member of the United National Movement opposition party. 

The Polish senior lawmaker pointed out that the discussion with Mamulashvilli, who is running for the party chair, also concerned the efforts of her government to ensure the imprisoned former president’s transportation abroad for treatment, as well as Nika Gvaramia, also imprisoned former UNM official and chair of the opposition-minded Mtavari channel.

“I also touched on the problems of internal polarization of Georgia, violation of democratic principles by the government, persecution of people with views contrary to the line of the ruling party, violation of sanctions against Russia and open support of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s [the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, former PM] government [to the Kremlin],” Goszewska wrote. 

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, after eight years in self-imposed political exile and is now serving his six-year-sentence for abuse of power while in office. 

He claims he is in “urgent need” of treatment abroad, while the authorities challenge the position by saying that the former official is trying to escape justice.