"This is another step forward in the administration of justice" - Mikheil Saakashvili's lawyer on Strasbourg's decision

"This is another step forward in administering justice and establishing justice," Shota Tutberidze, lawyer for Georgia's third president, said in response to the Strasbourg court's ruling on Mikheil Saakashvili's suit.

The Strasbourg Court recently published the ruling on its website, which means that the case against Mikheil Saakashvili has already been officially launched.

"The public is well aware that most European courts do not even hear most cases.
 In this instance the President's case is accepted for consideration. We are moving towards the decisive stage of the case, where we hope and are confident that the European Court will be able to establish the truth and reveal violations committed against Mikheil Saakashvili," - stated advocate Shota Tutberidze.

Lawyers say they will do everything in Strasbourg to prove violation of Mikheil Saakashvili's rights.

"We are convinced that Mikheil Saakashvili's rights have been repeatedly violated at national level and that he is a political prisoner. The Georgian Dream has been persecuting him for years for political reasons. This is why we applied to the European Court of Human Rights two years ago. The court ruling was made public today, according to which our complaint is admissible and will be reviewed on its merits despite the request of the Georgian government. We will do everything possible to confirm the violation of Mikheil Saakashvili's fundamental rights before the European Court," said Dimitri Sadzaglishvili.

The third president accuses the Georgian Dream government of bringing politically motivated cases against him. Mikheil Saakashvili appealed to Strasbourg two years ago. The Girgvliani and Gelashvili cases are being discussed, and the third president is challenging three articles:

Article 6 - Right to a fair trial;
Article 7 - No punishment without law;
Article 18. Scope of limitation of rights.