According to the Association Implementation Report on Georgia, politically sensitive court cases continued to impact on the political landscape in 2021.

The report also mentions Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that the publication of in-prison video footage of Mr Saakashvili, and the alleged violation of his right to appropriate healthcare and to attend court hearings raised concerns.

“The parliamentary immunity of UNM chair Melia was lifted and he was detained in February 2021, following his refusal to post bail related to a previous judgment. His detention led to further polarisation. Under the 19 April 2021 political agreement, his bail was paid by an autonomous organisation based in the EU.

The Tbilisi City Court found the TBC Bank’s founders and political party Lelo guilty of fraud in January 2022; the charges and the process were contested by the Public Defender’s Office and civil society organisations.

On 16 May 2022, the Tbilisi City Court delivered its judgment in the case of Mr Gvaramia, the Director of the opposition-leaning TV channel Mtavari, and sentenced him to 3.5 years imprisonment. Former President Saakashvili, who has been convicted twice and is facing three more trials, was detained and arrested following his return to Georgia.

In the autumn of 2021, the publication of in-prison video footage of Mr Saakashvili, and the alleged violation of his right to appropriate healthcare and to attend court hearings raised concerns. Pending a judgment in the court case of Mr Saakashvili, the European Court of Human Rights issued interim measures in November 2021. It instructed the government to provide detailed information on the former President’s health condition and to ensure appropriate medical care and safety. It also urged Mr Saakashvili to end his hunger strike.

Following his relocation to a military hospital, Mr Saakashvili ended his hunger strike and started his medical rehabilitation. The Tbilisi City Court annulled the decision of the State Inspector’s Service to fine the country’s Justice Ministry and the Special Penitentiary Service for the release of the video footage of Mr Saakashvili”, reads the report.