Mikheil Saakashvili Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has received a third prison sentence, Orda.kz reports, citing Newsgeorgia.

Saakashvili was found guilty of embezzling budget funds between 2009 and 2013. According to prosecutors, he spent approximately eight million lari on luxury vacations, beauty clinic visits, and designer clothing.

The list of expenses included seven jackets and a cashmere sports coat purchased in London for $28,600, as well as two hand-made suits worth $4,600,Newsgeorgia reports. 

Due to the lavish clothing purchases, the trial became known as the “Jacket Case.”

A Tbilisi court sentenced Saakashvili to nine years in prison, but the former president rejected the verdict, claiming the case was politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation as an anti-corruption leader.

This marks Saakashvili’s third conviction under the rule of the Georgian Dream party. He is already serving a sentence for orchestrating an attack on his political opponents, with two additional cases still under review.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin