Are new authorities able to put Saakashvili to prison?

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

After the new president has been elected, the acutest question in Georgia is the fate of the former president: whether the new ruling team will be able to fulfill its numerous promises to arrest and judge him?

During election demonstrations in the parliamentary campaign of 2012 Bidzina Ivanishvili promised Saakashvili that “he would have to pay for everything which he had done during his term.” The same idea was voiced by other leaders of the ruling coalition, Georgian Dream. Finally, the general prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili and some of his employees conceived a list of issues with Saakashvili.

Firstly, it is the war of 2008, but with interesting interpretation – “abandonment in trouble.” I.e. it is not about starting the war, but about inability or unwillingness to withdraw Georgian population from South Ossetia ahead of the event or during them.

Secondly, the strange death of the former premier of Georgia Zurab Zhvania who was found dead on February 3rd, 2005, in a conspiracy flat together with his young friend Raul Yusupov. The general prosecutor confirmed that the investigation has irresistible evidence that falsification took place in the case. Even if it is not connected with murder, falsification of evidence, if it took place at the order of President, is a serious crime. Saakashvili is trying to defend and makes it clear that if possible “interference” took place, it was made “in favor of protection of Zhvania’s good name” and to hide some “delicate details.” But political and social reasons don’t change strict rules of the law on prohibition of falsification of evidence and changing a real picture.

Thirdly, a lot will depend on statements by already arrested supporters of Saakashvili, for example, the former internal minister Vano Merabishvili. He is accused of excessive strictness in suppression of the opposition meeting on May 26th, 2011, where 4 people were killed. And if the former minister will say that he fulfilled an order by President, Saakashvili will probably be arrested for “abuse of power.”

Fourthly, a lot is said about corrupt and power crimes committed by Saakashvili. For example, the investigation bodies of the Ministry of Finances detected that the head of the state spent resources from the secret fund of the state security service on his personal purposes.

All these issues haven’t been presented as certain accusations yet. Moreover, the general prosecutor has never said that Saakashvili can be interrogated at least as a witness. But it is said by leaders of the ruling coalition, including Vice-Premier Kakha Kaladze, the defense minister Irakly Alasania, and representatives of the parliamentary majority.