Saakashvili still not allowed to attend trial hearing in own case

Saakashvili still not allowed to attend trial hearing in own case

Former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has again not been allowed by the Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia to attend a trial in Tbilisi City Court today about an embezzlement case in which he is implicated. 

The case concerns the embezzlement of 8.8 million GEL in state funds while Saakashvili served as the president of Georgia. 

Earlier this month, Saakashvili was not allowed to attend a trial hearing in another case which concerns the dispersal of an opposition rally in Tbilisi in November 2007, and an illegal raid on Imedi TV. Saakashvili was charged with abuse of power in the case. 

The Special Penitentiary Service says that opposition activists had plans to cause unrest on the streets during the transportation of Saakashvili to court during the previous trial hearing, and that law enforcement agencies are investigating this.

The agency also stated that Saakashvili’s presence at the trial could have further complicated his health, as the former president has been on hunger strike for 46 days, Agenda.ge reported.

The Special Penitentiary Service stated that Saakashvili can participate in the hearing remotely. Saakashvili said yesterday, however, that he wishes to attend the trial hearing in person. 

His lawyers maintain that the State Penitentiary Service's refusal is ‘groundless’ and that ‘Saakashvili’s rights are being violated.’ 

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