Top cleric visits Saakashvili in prison: he seemed calmer than earlier, worries about Ukraine

Metropolitan of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo and Kari, Nikoloz, has once again visited imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili in Rustavi prison and stated that he ‘seemed calmer than earlier.’ 

“However, he is worrying much about current tension over Ukraine,” the cleric told journalists. 

Metropolitan Nikoloz has recently offered the government to allow home arrest for Saakashvili in his eparchy. 

However, the offer has not been considered. 

Saakashvili, who holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1, 2021 after eight years in political exile. 

He claims he returned to help the opposition remove the ‘pro-Russian’ Georgian Dream government from power.

Saakashvili is currently serving his term for abuse of power as he was convicted in absentia in 2018. 

He also faces several other charges.