Mikheil Saakashvili's Case Discussed at Debate Held in EU Parliament Dedicated to Political Prisoners
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
A discussion was held in the European Parliament under the title "Political prisoners whose death was ordered: Kara-Murza, Gorinov and Mikheil Saakashvili". Mikheil Saakashvili's family members and representatives of the National Movement took part in the discussion together with MEPs.
Together with Mikheil Saakashvili, the cases of Russian Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza and a deputy at Moscow's Krasnoselsky district council and trained lawyer Alexei Gorinov were discussed.
Member of the European Parliament Petras Austrevicius stated that the health condition of the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, is directly related to the 12 recommendations of the European Union. He encouraged the ruling Georgian Dream party to look at it from a broader perspective.
According to Austrevicius, Saakashvili is an enemy of Putin's Russia, therefore Putin is doing everything to put pressure on him.
"Any good initiative, any reform and change in Georgia, according to Putin, is a threat to autocratic Russia. European integration, of course, means change, political pluralism, economic development and raising the standard of living, which is unacceptable for Putin. He wants pressure, influence and control in Georgia. Saakashvili is an enemy of Putin's Russia, so Putin is doing everything possible to put pressure on him, both directly and indirectly.
It is a very serious situation and we cannot remain indifferent. We cannot forget that Mikheil Saakashvili is in prison in such a bad situation, which is getting worse. Mikheil Saakashvili's health and his life are an integral part of the EU recommendations.
I can't imagine that the EU institutions would want to listen to some formalities when we get worse and worse news from the hospital where he is. The Georgian authorities should look at this in a broader perspective and forget about political revenge," stated Austrevicius.
European Parliamentarian Sergey Lagodinsky also stated that without the life, health and freedom of Saakashvili, there will be no progress regarding Georgia's membership in the European Union.
According to the Member of the European Parliament, if the country wants EU membership or candidate status, it should at least show a 'minimum standard' in the judicial system.
