"This is an attempt at intimidation by single-celled, unintelligent, uneducated thugs. We will never surrender to this," – this is how Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, responded to today’s statement by United National Movement chairwoman Tina Bokuchava, who said that five masked individuals attacked and abducted her husband, Kote Ioseliani.

As Saakashvili stated during today’s court hearing, this is the action of an extremely cowardly regime.

“I want to salute the proud and incredible Tinatin Bokuchava – a remarkable political leader. What happened to her husband and her family yesterday is no longer Russia. We say we don’t want Russia in Georgia anymore. But this isn’t Russia anymore – this is Kadyrov’s Chechnya. It’s Kadyrov who abducts people like this. It’s Kadyrov who forces people to record videos. With these bandits in Georgia, we’re already in Kadyrov’s Chechnya. There is a limit to everything. I am not afraid, and I will not be silenced!”

According to the former president, there is no justice or rule of law in Georgia anymore.

“This so-called court has nothing to do with any form of legal process, but I use this opportunity to speak out – even in poor conditions, even under suppression. The regime is very afraid of me. They practically suppressed my last speech. The November 7 case is in fact about the establishment of an oligarchic dictatorship – a classic attempt to entrench a bandit dictatorship. I want to send greetings to all political prisoners – including Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, and all those unjustly imprisoned. To the youth, to their parents who are fighting bravely – I want to say: stay strong. They will be free very soon.”

The former president added:

“No invader has ever looted Georgia the way the current government is looting it. How foolish was I not to take even a bandage for my finger when I left Georgia? Wealthy people in power are especially dangerous. Everything I warned you about – didn’t it all come true? Why did I return here in 2021? I didn’t hold office, didn’t have income, didn’t have a home, didn’t have a future? I came back because we were losing Georgia. I came back because I foresaw all this. Everything that is happening now – I warned about it back in 2012. We have gained this experience, and now it’s time to get rid of them. Otherwise, we will lose the country entirely.”