Attempt to frame Saakashvili as political prisoner discredits European Parliament, says Georgian Parliament official

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Wednesday strongly criticised the European Parliament's recent debate and draft resolution concerning Georgia, stating that attempts to portray the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili as a political prisoner only served to discredit the European Parliament in the eyes of the Georgian people.

Matikashvili's comments followed a debate in the European Parliament on Georgia, which included a draft resolution prepared by MEP Rasa Juknevičienė. The resolution calls for the immediate release of Mikheil Saakashvili, the holding of new parliamentary elections, and the recognition of Salome Zourabichvili's legitimacy as President.

“These are documents where coercion against the Georgian people and Georgian society is clearly visible. The attempt to present Saakashvili as a political prisoner speaks volumes. Therefore, such resolutions have only one effect: to discredit the European Parliament itself in the eyes of the Georgian people and to try and inject revitalising energy into a handful of radicals who are in Georgia”, the Parliament official said.