Ex-president Saakashvili Denied the Right to Attend Trial Hearing
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, November 11
Former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has been denied the right to attend his trial hearing which was held yesterday at Tbilisi City Court. The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia refused the transfer of the ex-President to the court, citing the risk of Saakashvili’s supporters hindering his transportation back to the penitentiary.
The Special Penitentiary Service also claimed that transportation and attendance of the ex-president at the trial posed an additional risk to his health as he had stopped a substantial part of his treatment.
Saakashvili’s lawyers have addressed three judges in the case, Nino Eleishvili, Lia Orkodashvili and Maia Kokiashvili, to ensure the former president’s presence at the trial, which was dismissed by the judges. In response, the lawyers demanded the change of the judges, accusing them of making an unfair decision.
As Saakashvili's lawyer Beka Basilaia noted, the ex-president has the desire and ability to attend the trial.
Former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava was expelled from the courtroom as he insulted the judge while demanding Saakashvili’s attendance at the trial.
According to the ombudsman of Ukraine, Lyudmila Denisova, the Georgian justice system has violated Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms against Mikheil Saakashvili, which guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing. The ombudsman of Ukraine called on foreign states and international human rights organizations to respond to this violation per the law.
The trial hearing of the former president concerned the exceeding of official authority in various events, including the opposition rally dispersal in November 2007 and illegal raid in Imedi TV. Per the decision of the judges, the detention measure imposed on the former Georgian president on this case has been lifted. The next hearing in the November 7 case is scheduled for November 29. Saakashvili has also been charged with five other offences.
Yesterday, Georgian law enforcement arrested 46 individuals at rallies organized by the United National Movement in support of Saakashvili. According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, the activists violated the law of assembly and demonstration by attempting to block state buildings and disobeying police officers. The opposition is demanding the transfer of Saakashvili to a public clinic from a prison hospital, his release from prison, and the annulment of recent municipal election results. According to them, the rallies will be held regularly until all their demands are fulfilled by the government.
