Mikheil Saakashvili Responds to Zourabichvili's Statements Regarding His Pardoning
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, June 19, 2023
In a letter addressed to the Ukrainian publication 'Ukrainskaya Pravda',Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia, expressed his perspective on Salome Zourabichvili's comments during an interview with the same publication. Saakashvili, who considers himself a personal prisoner of Putin, contends that Zourabichvili's remarks do not deviate from the Russian party line, despite her "making a toast" about the occupation and Europe.
Zourabichvili, in her interview, stated that many individuals sought pardons, but she clarified that pardons are not a solution, particularly considering the Georgian people's experiences during Saakashvili's nine-year regime.
In his letter, Saakashvili criticized Zourabichvili, highlighting her hypocrisy and tendency to align with Bidzina Ivanishvili's preferences. He pointed out that Georgia faced blame for the 2008 war, but acknowledged that she occasionally makes favorable statements. Saakashvili also accused her of seeking an invitation from Zelensky and described Zourabichvili as Ivanishvili's tool to confuse Western countries and Ukraine. He recalled that Ivanishvili had sought his conviction for the 'attack on Tskhinvali (i.e., Russia)'in 2008 and accused Zourabichvili of welcoming Russian provocations. According to Saakashvili, she currently has a role similar to that of Hungary's president.
Saakashvili expressed his appreciation to President Zelensky and his team for their continuous and public support in defending his rights. He acknowledged that Ukraine, recognizing his Ukrainian citizenship, has officially sought his extradition. Furthermore, he highlighted that the European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution demanding his release, referring to his arrest as a personal vendetta of an oligarch.
"I am currently in a Georgian prison because, in 2014, when I arrived in Ukraine and assisted the new government after the Euromaidan, Putin personally instructed the oligarch Ivanishvili, who placed him in charge of the Georgian government, to allocate two billion dollars for initiating a criminal case against me. Putin held a grudge against me for supporting Ukraine's first Maidan in 2004 and for preventing his army from entering Tbilisi while defending Georgia's sovereignty in 2008. Subsequently, the war broke out, and I became Putin's personal prisoner.
I have been subjected to poisoning and torture by them. They are now trying to unjustly prosecute me based on fabricated accusations.
I express my gratitude to President Zelensky and his office for consistently and publicly advocating for my rights. Ukraine, recognizing me as a Ukrainian citizen, has formally requested my extradition. Additionally, the European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution demanding my release, referring to my arrest as a "personal vendetta of an oligarch".
As for Zourabichvili, she is distinguished by her hypocrisy and never does what Ivanishvili does not like. Georgia was blamed for the 2008 war. However, sometimes she says the right things. Now she is simply begging for an invitation from Zelensky. Zourabichili is Ivanishvili's toy, which he uses to confuse the West and Ukraine. It is enough to recall that he demanded my conviction for the "attack on Tskhinvali (i.e., Russia)" in 2008. She welcomed armed provocations from Russia in every possible way. She now plays a role similar to that of Hungary's president.
I understand that any supportive words are important now, but Ukrainians should not be deceived. Behind this woman's empty words is Ivanishvili's active cooperation with Russia in evading sanctions.
The presence of Kadyrovians in Georgia has become more frequent, as well as officers from the aggressor country's special services.
Zurabishvili may toast to the occupation and Europe, but when it comes to me as Putin's personal prisoner, as well as other vitally important issues, she does not differ in the slightest from the Russian party line," Saakashvili wrote.
