Ex-Pres Saakashvili urges Georgians to deliver ‘final verdict’ on ruling power on 4 October

Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has urged citizens to use the upcoming 4 October rally to deliver a “final verdict” on what he called a corrupt “regime” led by billionaire-turned-politician Bidzina Ivanishvili, in an address made from detention on Monday.

Saakashvili - who is serving several prison sentences and is currently held in a prison hospital - described a recent court hearing as a “circus” staged to “frighten voters” ahead of the protest and accused the government of arresting political opponents, including Levan Khabeishvili. 

He told supporters that his removal from public life and the seizure of his property - including a vineyard he said had hosted important diplomatic meetings - were acts of political revenge by those “who looted the country”. Saakashvili said that if the current leadership remained in power “there will be war” and warned that those responsible will ultimately face justice.