Overview
- Mikheil Saakashvili appealed on Facebook on Nov. 13 for President Volodymyr Zelensky to recognize him as a civilian captive held by a pro‑Russian regime during the war.
- He was returned to Georgia’s Penal Colony No. 12 on Nov. 12 and, under existing convictions, is scheduled to remain imprisoned until April 1, 2034.
- Saakashvili says a newly opened case accuses him and others of sabotage for a foreign enemy state, noting the file cites statements by Ukrainian officials.
- Georgian authorities have previously convicted him in multiple cases, and prosecutors in November also opened proceedings against him and seven opposition figures for allegedly calling for the government’s overthrow.
- He alleges he was poisoned in March 2022 and links his persecution to Russia’s war, while Ukraine has not publicly responded to his new request.