"It is astonishing if the defence, considers this a victory" | Shotadze on the Strasbourg court's acceptance of Mikheil Saakashvili's lawsuit

Prosecutor-General Irakli Shotadze is convinced that Mikheil Saakashvili will not win the case in Strasbourg. He said that the fact that the European Court of Human Rights had declared the suit admissible and initiated the case was not a victory for the defence.

Shotadze claims that the state will present "serious arguments" against Mikheil Saakashvili in Strasbourg.

"Whether it is a victory or a defeat, it is too early to talk about it. It is astonishing if the defence, considers this a victory. Maybe the fact that they went to Strasbourg a month and a half late instead of six months and were forgiven given the pandemic, they consider it a victory, the Strasbourg Court declared the suit admissible. Perhaps it is a victory for them that their mistake is forgiven. There is no sign of them winning.

Regarding the so-called political justice, we would like to remind the public about the cases in which Mikheil Saakashvili has been convicted or is being accused. We are talking about Sandro Girgvliani case, we are talking about the attack on Valeri Gelashvili, dispersal of peaceful demonstrators on November 7, break-in and raid on private TV station Imedi, confiscation of property of Badri Patarkatsishvili family and misuse of millions of GEL. Therefore, it is totally unclear what kind of political justice we are talking about here," Shotadze said.

As for possible inhuman treatment of Mikheil Saakashvili, the Prosecutor General says the relevant questions will be answered by the investigation.

"You are talking to the Prosecutor General, and every answer I give is legal. I can legally answer that Mikhail Saakashvili is an ordinary prisoner. Regarding the issue of his transfer and the possible fact of his possible mistreatment, this issue is being investigated... All the rights of the convicted Mikheil Saakashvili are protected," Shotadze said.