‘Put aside political beliefs, stand by us’ – ex-pres. Saakashvili’s brother addresses public

Giorgi Saakashvili, brother of currently imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili, on Friday addressed the public to “put aside” their political beliefs and stand by the family to “save the life” of the former top official, ahead of the trial later today on Saakashvili’s release on medical grounds. 

“Dear members of the public, we appeal to all of you! Let’s put aside political views, stand by us and save a human life! Misha will surely die if he is not given timely treatment abroad”, he said and added  “I hope the court will make an unbiased decision and prevent the disgraceful death of the [former] president”, he said. 

The trial is scheduled at 13:00 in Tbilisi City Court, following the motion of Saakashvili’s lawyers on December 1, in the wake of a health report by a dometic Empathy centre, which had pointed to possible coma and death due to more than 20 health issues, if Saakashvili was not transferred abroad for “proper treatment”. 

Saakashvili, who has been in custody since October 2021 for abuse of power while in office, said on Thursday he planned to attend the trial as it concerned his “life and death”.