Overview

• Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's former president, was sentenced to nine years in prison for embezzling public funds during his presidency from 2004 to 2013.
• The ruling adds three years to his existing six-year sentence for prior convictions, including abuse of power and pardoning officials involved in a murder case.
• Saakashvili, who returned from self-imposed exile in 2021, claims the charges are fabricated and politically motivated by Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party.
• The European Court of Human Rights previously ruled that Georgian authorities acted lawfully in prosecuting Saakashvili, dismissing claims of political bias.
• Saakashvili's health has deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment, with reports of chronic illnesses and allegations of mistreatment in custody.