“If we want a clear, free, and productive transition from this misery toward a model of a better future, everyone must place the interests of the country above ego,” said Georgia’s third president Mikheil Saakashvili during a court hearing.

According to him, if there is public unity, “the regime will definitely be defeated.”

“We need to develop a winner’s psychology. Unfortunately, those people, including from the opposition, who criticize me, have developed a ‘loser’ mentality — the idea that nothing can be done and nothing will change. It was like this during Shevardnadze’s time as well. Back then, Gogi Topadze was a party leader and used to say, ‘Shevardnadze will always be there, we need to find someone else.’

Today as well, people say that ‘they will remain anyway,’ and therefore a significant part of the opposition has become more my opposition than Ivanishvili’s opposition — and this is ridiculous, although I am not amused. I know that from behind bars I cannot defeat this regime alone. I need freedom of movement for that. If there is public unity, then I will also contribute my part, and we will definitely defeat this regime.

If we want a clear, free, and productive transition from this misery toward a model of a better future, everyone must place the interests of the country above ego.

Time will pass, egos will calm down, many people will leave, but many more will come. However, if we lose the country, then arguments and finger-pointing will be too late.

Our task is simple — not to allow the entire country to be turned into Ivanishvili’s chaotic, idiotic gang. There is an impression that everyone is fighting each other, and we do not want to see that anymore. This looks more like a commissioned process. Therefore, our task is not to let Ivanishvili drag us into his base.

I am optimistic. I want to wish victory to all political prisoners,” Saakashvili said.