I wanted to come back to Georgia. Despite having a comfortable life in Ukraine, it was impossible for me to watch my country’s degradation. It was not easy to return; there was Russian intelligence within my circle. There was one person who constantly told me to come back — and when I finally arrived, they were supposed to meet me, but not only did they not show up, they passed on my information within two hours, — said Georgia’s third president Mikheil Saakashvili during a court hearing.

According to him, betrayal has happened and will happen, “the main thing is that we do not accept it.”

Saakashvili added that “it is important to unite not around names, but around the flag; we do not need party symbols or different slogans.”

“Today they are announcing Levan Khabeishvili’s verdict; I am sure he will receive the maximum sentence. I want to encourage Levan from here. He is a man, and does that man sleep peacefully while all patriots and fighters are in prison? That is the reality. Levan, do not be afraid — we are on the front line of the struggle against dictators and forces of evil. The war started with us first; hybrid operations began with us; electoral interference happened first with us — that is Georgia’s fate. Do I like being away from my family? And does Levan like not seeing his children and his mother every day? Of course not. This is our fate. We must not hesitate, and we will take this fight to the end.

We have practically been turned into participants in a spectacle. What is happening on Rustaveli Avenue and in courtrooms is a spectacle of power, used by Ivanishvili to demonstrate his alleged invincibility. It is unfortunate that the opposition’s language, rhetoric, and actions are completely disconnected from reality. There is no such thing as a ‘middle position.’

Strength is what I and my comrades represent. After so many years of betrayal, selling out, and banning the mention of Saakashvili’s name — what has it ended in? Complete bankruptcy. They play my old video where I talk about zero tolerance for crime, and look who they are imprisoning now — top students, educated youth, writers, poets, intellectuals. These so-called ‘Akatsukebi’ and nobodies are terrorizing people. They are nothing. They have even started arresting women, and I want to greet Nanu from here. They are calm while everyone is in prison — otherwise Ivanishvili’s ‘carrot juice’ doesn’t help anymore.

I wanted to come to Georgia despite a comfortable life in Ukraine because I could not watch my country’s degradation. It was not easy; there was intelligence infiltration in my circle. One person repeatedly urged me to return — in 2020, when I was planning to come, my coordinators were handed over to Ivanishvili’s government. When we approached Georgia by yacht, an alarm was raised in Batumi; they knew everything in advance and I had to turn back. And when I finally came, instead of being met, my information was passed on within two hours. Betrayal happened and will happen — the main thing is that we do not accept it.

It is important to unite not around names but around the flag. We do not need party symbols or different slogans. I am sure we will manage this.

Today, when Georgia is the antithesis of everything it should be, is this really the time for despair? They are practically begging us to remove them from power, while some people sprinkle ashes on their heads and say the people are not ready — that is a lie. Everyone is ready; what is needed is a push and going all the way. I spent my most productive years in prison, but I am freer and more combative than many of you,” Saakashvili said.

He also expressed support for the May 26 protest, adding: “This should be the beginning of something great. When they start talking about peace and security, that is when their downfall begins.”