Saakashvili: Ivanishvili Will End up in Prison

Georgia’s ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili says the founder and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, will end up in prison.

Saakashvili made the comment in an interview with TV Pirveli, while speaking about the recent developments in the country, after the arrest of United National Movement member Davit Kirkitadze.

Kirkitadze was arrested by police on December 17 on charges of assaulting a police officer on the inauguration day of Georgia’s new President Salome Zurabishvili, when the United opposition held protests.

“When police officers act like bandits they should receive the proper response,” Saakashvili stated, adding it does not mean he justifies violence.

Ex-President believes Kirkitadze’s arrest was politically motivated because “he [Kirkitadze] helped the UNM Presidential candidate Grigol Vashadze win the elections in Rustavi.”

Kirkitadze was sentenced to imprisonment as a preventive measure by Gurjaani Regional Court on December 20.

By Thea Morrison

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