This latest verdict adds to Saakashvili's existing prison terms, intensifying concerns about political motivations behind his incarceration.
Ex-President Saakashvili Sentenced to Extra Four Years in Jail
Ex-President Saakashvili Sentenced to Extra Four Years in Jail
The former president of Georgia is facing mounting legal challenges and health issues behind bars.
Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has received an additional prison sentence of four-and-a-half years, a ruling made by a court on Monday. The sentence is linked to charges of illegally crossing the border after his return from exile in 2021, according to statements from his legal team. Saakashvili, who already faces concurrent sentences totaling over 12 years for embezzlement and abuse of power, has consistently maintained his innocence, labeling the legal actions against him as both "illegal" and "unjust."
His imprisonment has sparked allegations from human rights organizations suggesting a politically driven motive behind the government's actions. Saakashvili is known for opposing the ruling Georgian Dream party, which supports closer ties with Russia, in stark contrast to his pro-Western agenda during his presidency. In a recent video message from the hospital where he is incarcerated, Saakashvili declared, "No matter what, I will fight to the end."
Previously, he was sentenced last week to a total of nine years for embezzlement, adding to the multi-year sentences he is already serving. Saakashvili was arrested in 2021 after clandestinely returning to Georgia ahead of local elections, where he urged followers to engage in anti-government protests, only to be apprehended shortly after his arrival by local law enforcement.
Having led Georgia from 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili later lived in Ukraine, acquiring Ukrainian citizenship while serving as the governor of Odesa. His citizenship was revoked in 2017 but was later restored in 2019 under President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his recent comments, Saakashvili implied that his sentence was meant to convey a warning to Zelensky regarding the repercussions of opposing Russian influence.
Zelensky has publicly requested that Saakashvili be transferred to Ukraine, asserting that the Georgian authorities are effectively complicit in endangering his life. The European Union has repeatedly called for Saakashvili's immediate release from custody, pointing to serious concerns regarding his health. Human rights entities, including the Council of Europe and Amnesty International, have designated him as a "political prisoner," labeling his treatment as an evident case of political retribution.
His imprisonment has sparked allegations from human rights organizations suggesting a politically driven motive behind the government's actions. Saakashvili is known for opposing the ruling Georgian Dream party, which supports closer ties with Russia, in stark contrast to his pro-Western agenda during his presidency. In a recent video message from the hospital where he is incarcerated, Saakashvili declared, "No matter what, I will fight to the end."
Previously, he was sentenced last week to a total of nine years for embezzlement, adding to the multi-year sentences he is already serving. Saakashvili was arrested in 2021 after clandestinely returning to Georgia ahead of local elections, where he urged followers to engage in anti-government protests, only to be apprehended shortly after his arrival by local law enforcement.
Having led Georgia from 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili later lived in Ukraine, acquiring Ukrainian citizenship while serving as the governor of Odesa. His citizenship was revoked in 2017 but was later restored in 2019 under President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his recent comments, Saakashvili implied that his sentence was meant to convey a warning to Zelensky regarding the repercussions of opposing Russian influence.
Zelensky has publicly requested that Saakashvili be transferred to Ukraine, asserting that the Georgian authorities are effectively complicit in endangering his life. The European Union has repeatedly called for Saakashvili's immediate release from custody, pointing to serious concerns regarding his health. Human rights entities, including the Council of Europe and Amnesty International, have designated him as a "political prisoner," labeling his treatment as an evident case of political retribution.
