US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan stated that Saakashvili’s case is to be a test of the Georgian judiciary, and added that they will monitor whether the case is conducted impartially, as they hope.
“Talking about progress is more important than speaking about yesterday. We want people to be focused on the elections. I think Georgia needs more political stability, not polarization. There are many important issues that this country needs to address, such as jobs, high prices, housing, education, water, roads. We hope that after these elections, Georgian political leaders will return to work on issues that are a priority for Georgian society.
“Saakashvili’s case will be a test of the Georgian judiciary. We will monitor whether it is conducted impartially, in accordance with Georgian law and Georgia’s international obligations,” said Degnan.
October 1, Mikheil Saakashvili returned to Georgia and was arrested and transferred to prison. The former president was sentenced-in-absentia to imprisonment due to his connection with the case of Sandro Girgvliani and the beating of MP Valeri Gelashvili.
By Ketevan Skhirtladze