US Ambassador on Saakashvili’s trial: I hope supporters will not interfere with administration of justice
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan also underscored that ‘all defendants have a right to a fair trial, including attending in person if they so desire.’Photo: US Embassy in Georgia/Archive.
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US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has expressed the hope that former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s supporters ‘will act responsibly’ during his trial, urging that the protest should be peaceful.
The former president’s supporters and opposition leaders have gathered outside Tbilisi City Court building earlier today protesting Saakashvili's trial – however, neither journalists nor opposition activists are allowed into the court’s yard.
We are very glad that Mr. Saakashvili’s condition allows him to attend today. He is stabilised and he is able to attend his hearing,” Ambassador Degnan said.
She also underscored that ‘all defendants have a right to a fair trial, including attending in person if they so desire.’
Ambassador Degnan's Remarks to Media at Amcham Roundtable https://t.co/RBFuBanHjg
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) November 29, 2021
The court is reviewing the case of the illegal dispersal of an opposition rally in central Tbilisi on November 7, 2007 in which Saakashvili is charged with the abuse of power.
Saakashvili was denied attendance at three previous trials due to the opposition’s alleged plan to cause unrest and the ex-president's health, as he was on hunger strike for 50 days, which he ended on November 19, the Georgian government explained.
Saakashvili called on his supporters to hold a rally in front of the court building several days ago.
The former president, who is serving a sentence for abuse of power, considers himself a political prisoner and is currently undergoing treatment at Gori military hospital.
Saakashvili served as the country’s third president from 2004 to 2013 and was sentenced to six years imprisonment in two cases in absentia in 2018, along with several other offences, including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal, and illegal border crossing.