Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen says Saakashvili prime example of fate facing those who betray country

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Monday that imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was a prime example of the fate awaiting those who betray the country.

Commenting on Saakashvili’s court hearing, Kaladze said freedom of speech and expression were protected in Georgia, but any violation of the law would be met with a strict response.

“We have heard Saakashvili’s boasting many times - and not only from him, but also from individuals implicated in treasonous actions who took concrete steps against the country. Saakashvili is a clear example of how such politicians and individuals end up. One could name others as well”, Kaladze said.

“We have said this many times, and I will repeat it once again: freedom of speech and expression are protected in the country, and everyone has the opportunity to express their views on various issues. However, if someone violates the law, a very strict response will certainly follow, and we have numerous examples of this”, he added.

Responding to Saakashvili’s statement that Russia’s 2008 invasion was not aimed at seizing the villages of Nikozi, Tamarasheni and the Kodori Gorge, but rather at destroying Georgia and killing him, Kaladze said Saakashvili did not serve the interests of Georgia or the Georgian people, but those of another country.

“When you do not belong to Georgia or the Georgian people, naturally you will hold the kind of attitude reflected in his statements - the same attitude he demonstrated regarding Sukhumi in one of his speeches. They do not belong to our homeland; they defend the interests of another country, have their own patrons and act according to their instructions. The actions taken on August 8, 2008, were acts of treason. There is no other way to characterize what, unfortunately, took place”, Kaladze concluded.