Saakashvili's address, published on his Facebook page on November 13, was written in Ukrainian. In it, he claims that "it is obvious that his persecution and fate are connected to the war."
Saakashvili emphasized that he is a citizen of Ukraine and the chairman of the executive committee of the National Reform Council, where he worked under Zelensky's leadership.
“I ask you, as in 2019, when you returned my illegally taken citizenship, to include me, as the former head of the Odessa Regional State Administration and chairman of the executive committee of the National Reform Council, who is illegally held by the pro-Russian regime of Georgia, in the list of civilian prisoners of this war with the corresponding legal consequences. I believe that Ukrainians do not abandon their own,” he addressed Zelensky.
This address followed Saakashvili's transfer from the hospital to prison, which took place on November 12.
Since October 2021, Mikheil Saakashvili has been in custody, having been arrested almost immediately after returning to Georgia. His health has significantly deteriorated in prison, and since May 2022 he has been receiving treatment at the Vivamed clinic in Tbilisi.
Considering all court decisions, as reported by "Echo of the Caucasus," Saakashvili is to serve 12 and a half years in custody, until April 1, 2034.
Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly called on Georgia to return Saakashvili for treatment in Kyiv.
