Mikheil Saakashvili calls for protests after last year’s election that international observers say was free and fair
Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili gestures while speaking during an interview in Kiev, Ukraine, in this March 13 2015 file photo. Picture: BLOOMBERG/VINCENT MUNDY
Saakashvili, who is based in Ukraine, said he planned to fly back on Saturday, despite facing imprisonment on charges that he says are politically motivated. Tensions between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition, which Saakashvili supports, have been severely strained since a parliamentary election last year that the opposition alleged was rigged. International observers said at the time that the election had been competitive and that fundamental freedoms had generally been respected.
In a video address posted on his Facebook page, Saakashvili, who helped found the United National Movement opposition party, called for post-election protests.