UNM chair pledges “fight until win” amid trial hearing on ex-pres. Saakashvili’s release

Levan Khabeishvili, a newly elected chair of the United National Movement opposition party, on Monday said the party’s plans would be dependent on the upcoming decision of a judge whether or not to grant imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s release on medical grounds. 

Tbilisi city court is expected to announce its verdict whether to grant Saakashvili’s release on health grounds or the postponement of the rest of his six-year-sentence later today.

Khabeishvili said the judge would have to make a  “simple decision”, if he had acted in an “unbiased manner”, as “all the evidence” pointed to the need for the former official’s transfer abroad for “proper treatment”. 

“You know that, for example, the Polish authorities are ready to provide transportation for Saakashvili, to take responsibility for his health and life”, Khabeishvili noted, adding party’s plans were linked to “various actions”, demonstrations among them, if the judge did not allow Saakashvili’s transfer. 

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 and is now serving his sentence for abuse of power while in office. 

The Georgian Dream government claims the former official is engaged in “self-harm” to facilitate his “escaping justice”.