Mikheil Saakashvili: On October 1, 2012, I democratically handed over power; on October 1, 2021, the very people to whom I had transferred that power threw me into prison - today marks the fifth anniversary of a historic disgrace - my imprisonment by Georgians
I have already spent five years in unjust captivity; until now, I consoled myself with the fact that my favorite writer, Cervantes, and my closest friend and political ally, John McCain, were also imprisoned for five years. Now, I am moving into the league of the Count of Monte Cristo and Nelson Mandela. Yet, despite everything, I am more optimistic than ever; I know for certain that this desperate spirit will not be in vain, - the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, writes on social media.
Saakashvili writes that 80% of people have "come to their senses" and that his struggle and ideas are now more relevant than ever.
"On October 1, 2012, I democratically handed over power. On October 1, 2021, the very people to whom I had transferred that power threw me into prison. Today marks the fifth anniversary of a historic disgrace for Georgia: my imprisonment by fellow ethnic Georgians.
Many ask why I returned; let me explain: my greatest strength and my greatest weakness is my love for Georgia. I could not bear to watch the destruction of my country from afar, and a sense of responsibility drove me to return. I came back because I was convinced we were hurtling toward a massive national catastrophe. This process began in 2012 but accelerated rapidly after 2020; I simply could not have forgiven myself had I not at least attempted to awaken our people and save the country, even at the cost of personal sacrifice.
Over these five years, I have twice come very close to death. I have been tortured and poisoned; they constantly try to humiliate me and restrict me in every possible way. Most importantly, all of this is being done at the behest of the occupier—something they openly admit. ...Putin, Medvedev, Lavrov—and all this despite the fact that I am absolutely right before my people and completely innocent under the law.
Yet, all this time, I have been burdened by a profound sense of guilt: guilt toward Ukraine for being unable to help adequately; guilt toward my mother, for whom I have become a burden; guilt toward Sopho and my loved ones; and, most importantly, toward my children. It breaks my heart that Alisa—ever since she learned to speak—constantly talks about me, wakes up at night calling out for me. She suffers terribly from my absence—that I couldn't personally take her to kindergarten or now to school; that I can't personally take her to music lessons, French, or figure skating; that I can't keep my promise to take her to Disneyland. It distresses me that she constantly has to hear about politics and is well-versed in all the political details at the age of six—which is not normal.
I have already spent five years in unjust captivity. Until now, I consoled myself with the thought that my favorite writer, Cervantes, and my closest friend and political ally, John McCain, also spent five years imprisoned. I have now moved into the same category as the Count of Monte Cristo and Nelson Mandela, yet—despite everything—I am more optimistic than ever. This is because 80% of people have come to their senses, the idealistic 'Misha generation' is stepping fully onto the stage, and my struggle and ideas are more relevant than ever; meanwhile, Russia is also suffering defeat. So, I know for certain that this spirit will not be in vain," writes Saakashvili.
