Russia files lawsuit against Saakashvili

Russia has filed a lawsuit at the international court against former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili.

The lawsuit concerns the August War between Georgia and Russia in 2008 and covers heavy crimes like genocide, murder, and the use of prohibited means and methods in the course of war.

Saakashvili is wanted by the current government of Georgia in four cases and the Prosecutor’s Office is waiting for a response from Interpol regarding the former official’s placement on the internationally wanted list. However, supporting Russia in its recent activities will cause only drawbacks for the Georgian Dream authorities.

Head of Russia’s Investigation Committee Vladimir Markin stated that his body had carried out an investigation against Georgia’s ex-president. However, based on international law, Russia is not eligible to put Saakashvili in the internationally wanted list.

“Sooner or later Saakashvili will have to answer for his crimes,” Markin says.

One of the first who responded to the fact was the head of the opposition Free Democrats Irakli Alasania, who stressed that Russia attacked Georgia in 2008 and the whole country must be unanimous over the issue despite differing political views.

“We might oppose Saakashvili and his team, but in this case we must have a common vision, as the topic is related to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Alasania said.

Member of the majority Gia Volksi stated that it was Russia that occupied Georgia’s territories after the August War and initiated aggressive steps against our country.

“If Russia wants to bring the suit against Saakashvili it is their decision …However, I do not believe Russia has any pretensions regarding Saakashvili. The latter’s unreasonable strategy and solutions enabled Russia to fulfill their plans in terms of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008,” Volski said.

Head of Parliament’s Legal Committee, Vakhtang Khmanadze, emphasized that Russia will obviously fail in its lawsuit against Saakashvili.

“It is impossible to prove that Saakashvili or someone else is guilty in genocide, as nothing like that happened. Georgia has already filed its own lawsuit against Russia and accused it of genocide on the territory of South Ossetia. As for Saakashvili, he will have to answer for the crimes he really committed while being in office,” Khmaladze said.

Saakashvili’s lawyer Otar Kakhidze had no information concerning the suit in the international court. However, he was not surprised with Russia’s statements.

“Russia committed all the crimes and is now trying to blame Georgia. They invaded our territories and carried out ethnic cleansing,” Kakhidze said.