Georgia Denies EP Push to Free Saakashvili, Citing Serious Crimes and Security Concerns
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili clarified that authorities will not permit the European Parliament to compel the release of former President Mihail Saakashvili from prison. He framed the EP’s stance as a direct intervention in Georgia’s sovereign affairs and insisted that Saakashvili remains imprisoned due to grave criminal charges and the risk he would attempt to destabilize the country if freed. The prime minister’s remarks reflect Georgia’s determination to uphold its judicial decisions amid international scrutiny.
The Georgian leadership has emphasized that Saakashvili played a central role in recent political events and that his conduct warrants legal penalties. Officials argue that Saakashvili’s presence inside the country would jeopardize public order and national security, given the political tensions and his history of laboring to influence government policy from outside the formal political process.
Georgian authorities note that Saakashvili faces multiple criminal cases on record. In at least two of these matters, the former president has already received sentences in absentia, with terms amounting to several years. Additionally, lawmakers have highlighted a potential prison exposure of up to five years tied to allegations connected with unlawful border crossings. These legal actions, they argue, are part of the nation’s ongoing efforts to address alleged wrongdoing in a manner consistent with domestic law and judicial due process.
In February, the European Parliament’s plenary assembly in Strasbourg expressed support for Saakashvili’s release and treatment abroad. Georgian officials have described that decision as external pressure that clashes with Georgia’s constitutional framework and the integrity of its judicial system. The government has reiterated its commitment to handling the Saakashvili case through Georgia’s own legal channels, while noting the broader implications for bilateral relations with European partners.
Analysts in North America and around the world have followed the Saakashvili case with interest, recognizing its potential to influence Georgia’s political trajectory and its ongoing cooperation with Western institutions. In the Canadian and American context, observers emphasize the importance of transparent, rule-of-law processes and the potential impact such high-profile cases can have on regional security, freedom of information, and governance standards. Markers of reform, judicial independence, and the appropriate balance between accountability and political stability remain central to assessments of Georgia’s political climate. Citations from official parliamentary records and government briefings are noted by observers as the primary sources for understanding the evolving stance, with ongoing updates anticipated as new information becomes available.