A Georgian court has sentenced former President Mikheil Saakashvili to nine years in prison after finding him guilty of embezzling state budget funds. Alongside him, Teimuraz Janashia, the former head of Georgia’s Special State Protection Service, has been ordered to pay a 300,000 GEL fine.
The charges against Saakashvili stem from allegations that during his presidency, he misused public funds for personal luxury expenses. Prosecutors argued that millions of GEL were spent on lavish accommodations, expensive travel, and other personal indulgences under the guise of official state expenditures.
The court’s ruling marks a significant development in Georgia’s political and legal landscape, as Saakashvili remains a controversial figure. His supporters claim that the charges are politically motivated, while government officials argue that the verdict upholds justice and accountability.
Saakashvili, who has previously denounced the trial as politically charged, is already serving time for other convictions. His legal team has vowed to appeal the latest verdict, calling it an attempt to silence the opposition. Meanwhile, Janashia’s legal representatives have yet to announce whether they will contest the fine imposed on him.
The case has further deepened political tensions in Georgia, with opposition groups rallying behind Saakashvili and his allies, while government officials maintain that the judiciary acted independently. As the legal process continues, the ruling is expected to have lasting implications for Georgia’s political landscape.
