Georgian President Will Not Grant Pardon to Saakashvili

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, has announced that she will not grant a pardon to former President Mikheil Saakashvili. In her view, Saakashvili has returned to Georgia to destabilize the country, contrary to the advice of international partners.

It has been previously reported that Mikheil Saakashvili was arrested in Georgia. Footage of Saakashvili's arrest has been released.

Saakashvili has been wanted in Georgia for his involvement in the murder of banker Sandro Girgvliani and for assaulting MP Valeri Gelashvili. He was sentenced to three years in prison for the first case and six years for the second. Additionally, charges have been filed against him for dispersing an opposition rally on November 7, 2007, and misusing budget funds.