Mikheil Saakashvili: The only reason for having ten guards around Giorgi Davitadze could be to conceal an act of illegality; as for the talk regarding the "prison footage," attributing it to my administration demonstrates that obsession with the "mop-handle" scandal is a religion, and religion requires no facts

Now that both Elizbarashvili and Bedukadze have admitted to staging the "prison footage," the attempt to pin this massive fabrication on my administration proves one thing: that obsession with the "mop-handle" scandal is a religion, and religion requires no facts—this is what the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, writes on social media.

He commented on a statement made in court by convict Giorgi Davitadze, in which the latter accuses guards at Penitentiary Facility No. 6 of rape.

“Having ten guards surrounding Giorgi Davitadze is unprecedented in such a situation and constitutes a gross violation of local rules. The only possible motive was to conceal an act of illegality from the cameras—I say this as someone who has been a prisoner for over five years.

I urge other inmates to speak up; this is crucial for your own safety—know that silence kills. Speak out against completely senseless restrictions, and especially against the sharp deterioration in conditions recently.

Giorgi Davitadze’s parents stubbornly persist in talking about the "prison footage" from my time in office, thereby actually casting doubt on their own son's story. Given that both Elizbarashvili and Bedukadze have admitted the "prison footage" was staged, the fact that this massive fabrication is still blamed on my administration indicates one thing: obsession with the "mop-handle" scandal is a religion, and religion has no need for facts. On the other hand, their motivation is understandable—back in my time, Giorgi Davitadze’s father, Avto Davitadze, was prosecuted for corruption, and if you look closely, every current or former 'Kotsi' [GD member] has a personal motive to spread lies about us; however, that does not mean we shouldn't stand by them and support them in instances where they are right," writes Saakashvili.