Saakashvili’s representative announces election campaign on behalf of jailed ex-President

Sophio Japaridze, a representative of the currently imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, on Monday announced the launch of an election campaign on behalf of the former official who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship. 

 

Japaridze, a member of the United National Movement opposition party, a major opposition group in the country founded by Saakashvili,  said in her press comments she would be engaged in meetings with the public across Georgia to listen to their “views and problems”. 

 

She also called for the opposition’s unity against the “pro-Russian” Georgian Dream authorities, after claiming Saakashvili had been jailed “on the “instructions of the Kremlin”.  

 

“Symbolically, the campaign will start from Batumi, the city built by Saakashvili, and we will definitely start the biggest victory campaign together. I am sure that many opposition parties and individuals will eventually join this very important campaign”, Japaridze said. 

 

Saakashvili was arrested in October 2021 on his clandestine return after eight years, and is now serving his six-year-term for abuse of power while in office in two separate cases. Three other cases involving him are still pending.