Tbilisi, Georgia: In a recent turn of events, the Georgian Parliament’s Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, has demanded apologies from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Moldovan President Maia Sandu. This demand stems from their allegations of torture against the former Georgian leader, Mikheil Saakashvili, in prison.
Papuashvili’s statement, made on January 19th during a broadcast on the national First Channel, comes in the wake of a report from the European Committee Against Torture. The committee found no violations in Saakashvili’s treatment while incarcerated in a clinic.
Papuashvili emphasized that the conclusions of the European Committee revealed that Presidents Zelenskyy and Sandu, along with some members of the European Parliament, had propagated falsehoods by accusing Georgia of torturing Saakashvili. “Today, we learned that many Western politicians have embarrassed themselves before Georgia and the Georgian people. Therefore, we expect these individuals to apologize,” Papuashvili stated.
He also highlighted that investigations through an American registry revealed millions spent on lobbyists to purchase articles, television segments, and political statements about the alleged “torture of Saakashvili.”
Mikheil Saakashvili, a controversial figure in Georgian politics, was arrested in Georgia on October 1, 2021. He faces charges related to the illegal dispersal of an opposition rally in 2007, the raid of the “Imedi” TV station, misappropriation of state funds, and illegal border crossing. Additionally, he was convicted in absentia for the murder of banker Sandro Girgvliani and the assault of deputy Valery Gelashvili, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence.
Currently, Saakashvili is undergoing treatment in a Tbilisi clinic following a prolonged hunger strike. Justice Minister Rati Bregadze noted that the former head of state would be transferred back to prison once deemed feasible by medical professionals.
On November 20, 2023, Saakashvili appealed to the current head of state, Salome Zourabichvili, for a pardon. He also asserted that he should be released abroad for rehabilitation.
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