Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili sentenced to 9 years in prison for embezzlement

Tbilisi City Court on Wednesday sentenced the imprisoned former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to nine years in prison for the embezzlement of budgetary funds.

The Court further deprived Saakashvili of the right to hold a public office for three years.

The Court also imposed a fine of ₾300,000 [$108,125] on Teimuraz Janashia, the former Head of the Special State Protection Service and was deprived of the right to hold a public office for a period of three years.

The Georgian Prosecutor's office accused Saakashvili and Janashia of collectively embezzling a large amount of budget funds - ₾9 million [$3.2 million].

Both defendants maintain their innocence regarding the charges.