Saakashvili made a statement about "secret meetings" with Lukashenko

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a meeting of the Tbilisi City Court on February 9 that he had met with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in London.

The court heard a case in which Saakashvili is accused of embezzling state funds in the amount of $2.7 million on personal travel and expensive gifts. The politician said the informal trips were for business.

“I had a secret meeting with Lukashenko in London four times, this is the first time I am talking about this, it was secret diplomacy. The fact that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have not yet been recognised by Lukashenko is the result of my visit to London,” Saakashvili said.

He did not say when he met with Lukashenko along with other details.

Recall that earlier Lukashenko, in an interview on the Soloviev LIVE YouTube channel, said that he would recognise the independence of separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia if he saw that it was necessary.

Saakashvili staged a rally at a court session

Former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili was brought to the Tbilisi City Court on February 9 to participate in a regular hearing on the embezzlement of budgetary funds in the amount of $2.7 million.

The ex-president, during his speech, instead of giving substantive answers, began to show photographs of expensive houses of high-ranking officials, including prosecutors. Saakashvili's statements provoked heated arguments in court, the ex-president, his lawyers, and the prosecutor began shouting.

Judge Badri Kochlamazishvili said he would close the hearing if the parties did not remain calm.

Ex-Head of Georgia's State Security Service Refused to Testify in Saakashvili's Case

Anzor Chubinidze, the former head of the Special State Security Service of Georgia, refused to testify during Mikheil Saakashvili’s trial.

Chubinidze was summoned for interrogation in court, but the ex-head of the state guard refused to testify. After that, Saakashvili's lawyers once again explained why his interrogation was important and noted that he needed to be interrogated. The charges brought against the ex-president in the so-called “jacket case” were related to hospitality expenses incurred during Chubinidze’s tenure.

Prosecutors, for their part, argued that the interrogation of the ex-head of the State Guard was not relevant to the case. After a discussion between the parties, Judge Badri Kochlamazishvili stated that he could not force the witness to testify. The judge again turned to Chubinidze with the question of whether he changed his decision and whether he would testify in court, to which the former head guard replied: “I remain true to my statement and have no desire to participate in this process,” and then left the courtroom.

Recall that Saakashvili is accused of wasting public money during his tenure as president for entertainment and the purchase of personal belongings. His supporters call the case the "jacket case."

EU is closely monitoring Saakashvili's health condition

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said that the European Union is closely following the development of the situation around the health condition of former President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Hartzell also said that it is important for the Georgian government to consider getting medical advice on Saakashvili.

“The EU is closely following the developments, and we have repeatedly expressed our opinion on this issue. It is important to be sure that appropriate measures will be taken regarding the health of Mr. Saakashvili, the most important thing is a medical consultation and consideration of this recommendation by the government,” Hartzell said.

It should be reminded that after Saakashvili's transfer to the Rustavi prison, his personal doctor was not allowed to see him. Saakashvili demanded that doctors be allowed into the prison cell during the trial, but the judge refused. Then Saakashvili placed all responsibility for the deterioration of his health personally on Bidzina Ivanishvili, an oligarch and former prime minister.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine recognised Saakashvili as a victim of torture

The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine opened a criminal case based on complaints from the former President of Georgia, the head of the Ukrainian Reform Committee, Mikheil Saakashvili, about "torture" in prison. This was reported to journalists by his lawyer Nika Gvaramia.

“Mikheil Saakashvili has already been recognised as a victim. That is, there is a fact, there is a victim, and the only step that remains to be taken is to identify the accused,” said the lawyer.

Gvaramia noted that “I can declare law enforcement officers accused in Ukraine. It is also possible that the highest officials of Georgia will be included in this list.”

Recall that Saakashvili and his supporters accuse the country's authorities of organising "torture" of the ex-president. The “torture” claim relates to his transfer in November 2021 to the Gldani prison in Tbilisi. Then the guards carried the politician to the cell, holding hands and feet. A video of this event was made public, but the ex-president claims that the authorities allegedly hide the worst moments.

Saakashvili's party commented on split rumours

Leaders of the United National Movement (UNM) party, founded by Mikheil Saakashvili, often argue over tactics and strategy, but that doesn't mean the party is about to split, Nugzar Tsiklauri, a member of the UNM, stated.

He commented on the video footage of UNM chairman Nika Melia saying that he was against Saakashvili's return to Georgia and does not believe that his release should be the only topic of protest actions.

“The differences of opinion are not surprising for such a large party as the United National Movement. And nothing happens on the side-lines that indicates confrontation,” Tsiklauri said.

According to him, the disputes in the party are only about which issues are the most important, but in general, nobody's statements contradict the main line of the party. Tsiklauri does not believe that Melia said something about Saakashvili, because of which he can be removed from the post of chairman of the UNM.

“Nika Melia is the elected chairman and leader of the United National Movement from among those who are free and not in prison,” said a party spokesman.

The leader of the "Georgian Dream" declared the need to weaken Saakashvili's party

The political situation in Georgia will remain tense until the United National Movement (UNM) party, founded by the country's former president Mikheil Saakashvili, is weakened. This was stated by the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze.

He noted that the UNM continues to be the second largest party in the country and stated that “the most heinous crimes” were committed when this political force was in power.

“They don't have the resources to become systemic players in this political system. They do not have the resources for this, so hatred and lies are generated daily by all their media,” Kobakhidze said.

In his opinion, because of the UNM, society is distrustful of politicians. If UNM maintains its positions, the tension in society will not be weakened.

“There is only one way to reduce polarisation and improve politics - this political force must be weakened, it must be weakened in principle and in essence,” the Dream leader said.