Arrested Saakashvili calls for Kutaisi residents to vote for UNM candidate in run-offs

Third president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili,who was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 ahead of municipal elections, has called on Kutaisi residents in western Georgia to vote for the United National Movement (UNM) opposition candidate Khatia Dekanoidze in the mayoral runoff on October 30. 

 

Dekanoidze received more votes in the first round of elections than the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) candidate Ioseb Khakhaleishvili.

 

The two will compete in the second round of elections, as none of them were able to receive 50%+1 mandatory vote in the first round. 

 

“You know how I love you and your city, and that I have big plans for you. I want Kutaisi to reclaim its status as the most important center, so that you no longer have to go abroad, and have increased income in your own city instead. Your mayoral candidate for these elections is the best. You should support her to win the elections,” Saakashvili wrote. 

 

Saakashvili claims he returned after eight years on political exile to help the UNM win the municipal elections and then change the Georgian Dream leadership via snap parliamentary elections. 

 

He was convicted in Georgia in absentia back in 2018 and was sentenced to six years in prison. 

 

Saakashvili has also been charged with four other cases which are still in courts. 

 

He is a citizen of Ukraine and chairs the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.

 

The Ukrainian government vows to take all steps to ensure Saakashvili;s return to Ukraine.