Georgia’s Former President Mikheil Saakashvili Hit with New Prison Sentence Amid Controversy
Georgia’s Former President Mikheil Saakashvili Hit with New Prison Sentence Amid Controversy
In a fresh legal blow, Georgia’s former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, has been handed an additional four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The court ruling, delivered on Monday, found him guilty of illegally crossing the border when he returned to Georgia from exile in 2021.
This new sentence adds to Saakashvili’s existing prison time, as he is already serving concurrent terms for embezzlement and abuse of power during his time in office. His total sentence now exceeds 12 years.
The former leader, who played a key role in modernizing Georgia during his presidency, has denied all charges and dismissed the latest verdict as "illegal" and "unjust." International rights groups have also expressed concern, calling his imprisonment politically motivated.
Saakashvili’s supporters argue that his detention is an attempt to silence a strong opposition voice. Meanwhile, his health has been a major point of concern, with reports of his deteriorating condition in custody.
As political tensions in Georgia remain high, this latest development raises further questions about the country's judicial independence and democracy.

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