Georgian media on situation surrounding Mikheil Saakashvili case

Georgian media are discussing the situation surrounding the Mikheil Saakashvili case. The former president has recently been charged with abuse of power. The Prosecutor General's office has even ordered the arrest of the former head of state, who now lives abroad.

The Prosecutor General's office has also decided to publish secret documents concerning the former president's expenses. The move immediately caused criticism from incumbent President Georgy Margelashvili. According to Margelashvili, the body has no right to publish secret data or even discuss it with reporters.

The Resonansi newspaper has published an interview with the head of the International School of Caucasian Studies, Giya Noduya. According to the expert the situation surrounding the publication of the secret documents is very depressing. According to him, the president's statement looked like remarks made by opposition politicians rather than a member of the ruling coalition. At the same time the prosecutor's office response was an actual insult to the head of state, the expert notes. It seems like the tensions within the coalition are increasing, he says.

The Saakashvili case itself is also widely discussed in Georgia.

The Messenger has quoted Swedish Foreign Minister Karl Bildt as saying that the political persecutions damage Georgia's reputation and sabotage its European integration.

A similar opinion has been voiced by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius, the newspaper informs. According to the official, the Saakashvili case is an example of selective justice, which contradicts European values.