In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Mikheil Saakashvili’s Detention

Below is a compilation of some of the reactions from Georgian politicians on the detention of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili in Kyiv.

Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia:
“The ongoing processes in Kyiv are the internal affairs of Ukraine; at the same time, in the center of the events is the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, whose security we hope will be ensured.”

Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia:
“This [specific] case will be addressed by relevant agencies, the Georgian side will, naturally, also be involved in addressing this issue. The important thing is to deal with it in legal terms. Saakashvili is no longer viable in Georgia from the political point of view. It is not important what suits and what does not suit us. We have established the rule of law, where law stands above politics; so, this issue should be solved exactly in this context.”

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi:
“We have heard statements that respective institutions of Ukraine have concrete questions to Mikheil Saakashvili. You are aware that he is not a citizen of Georgia, but there are certain questions about him in Georgia [as well]. He has been charged in connection with some cases. We have sent a request on his extradition. So, let’s wait what happens next. If his extradition becomes possible, definitely, relevant agencies will act [accordingly] in frames of law.”

Nika Melia, Chairman of the Political Council of the United National Movement:
“Several hours ago Poroshenko’s oligarchic and totalitarian regime and his security officers detained the President of Georgia and the leader of the United National Movement, Mikheil Saakashvili. Saakashvili’s detention is a coordinated revenge by the oligarchic regimes of [Bidzina] Ivanishvili and [Petro] Poroshenko against the Georgian and the Ukrainian peoples fighting for freedom. Moreover, Saakashvili is being detained upon explicit request of the Russian Federation, and this is exactly why the United National Movement moves to an emergency regime, announces a decisive struggle for Georgia and calls on all Georgian patriots, all Georgian citizens, for whom the ideals of freedom are precious, to gather at the Rustaveli Metro Station tomorrow, at 2pm and take part in the manifestation of dignity.”

Gigi Ugulava, General Secretary of the European Georgia:
“It is very difficult to watch the developments that are unfolding in Kyiv. Governments should not be treating the political opponents in this manner. This is not right and it is particularly saddening that this is happening in our strategic partner country – Ukraine. But the origin of all of these is the political persecution that the Georgian government, [Bidzina] Ivanishvili’s regime has started in 2013 and continues until today against Mikheil Saakashvili and not only. We have political prisoners in the country, so the problem originates in Georgia and should be addressed in Georgia [as well]. The political persecution needs to be stopped, and the country should start from a new page. This is what’s important, and what we are seeing in Kyiv today is a continuation of this problem. Therefore, political responsibility for the political persecution rests on Ivanishvili.”