Georgia: Thousands rally in Tbilisi to demand release of ex-President Saakashvili

У вашего броузера проблема в совместимости с HTML5

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Tbilisi, Thursday, to demand the release of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, who was recently jailed after returning from exile.

The protesters filled Tbilisi’s Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, alongside hundreds of police officers. According to local media, no arrests were made during the rally.

Mikheil Saakashvili, who served as President of Georgia for two consecutive terms from 25 January 2004 to 17 November, was detained in Georgia on October 1, shortly after announcing that he intended to return to the country from Ukraine in time for the October election.

Saakashvili was put on a domestic wanted list as he was sentenced in absentia on connections to the murder case of banker Sandro Girgvliani and the beating of MP Valeri Gelashvili. Authorities have repeatedly said they would detain the politician at a border crossing.

While in prison, Saakashvili went on a hunger strike, calling himself a political prisoner. His supporters have since held rallies in support of the country’s former leader and also collected signatures on a petition addressed to the Georgian president and government demanding Saakashvili’s release.

#Saakashvili #Georgia #Tbilisi

Video ID: 20211014-058

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20211014-058
Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly