Saakashvili denied presence at his trial

Georgian former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, has been denied by the Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia to attend his trial in Tbilisi City Court today. 

Saakashvili was convicted by Georgian court in absentia in 2018 on two counts of abuse of power and was sentenced to six years in prison.

He is now facing five additional charges, including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal, and illegal border crossing.

Today the trial is taking place which concerns the rally dispersal in Tbilisi in November 2007, when Saakashvili was in office, illegal raid in Imedi TV and illegal takeover of property of late tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili. 

The Special Penitentiary Service says that the opposition planned unrest on the streets and that the health condition of Saakashvili could further worsen, that is why he is not present at the trial. 

Former Tbilisi Mayor, Gigi Ugulava, who was also charged in the case, was forced out of the trial as he was demanding the presence of Saakashvili. 

Saakashvili has been on hunger strike since his arrest in Tbilisi on October 1. 

He has recently refused to take medication which was recommended by doctors to maintain strength. 

Saakashvili says he is a political prisoner. 

His United National Movement party is holding rallies across the country, demanding his release. The party is now rallying in front of Tbilisi City Court.