The former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently serving a six-year prison term, was sentenced to nine years in prison in the so-called “jacket case”, which concerns the large-scale embezzlement of budget funds. About this informs “Exo Caucasus”.
The decision was announced by the judge of the Tbilisi City Court, Badri Kochlamazashvili. The former head of the Special Security Service, Teymuraz Dzhanashii, was found guilty of abuse of authority and fined 300,000 GEL.
Saakashvili and Janashia previously repeatedly denied the charges, calling the case politically motivated. The “jacket case” concerns Saakashvili’s spending on vacations in luxury hotels and resorts, visiting cosmetology clinics, and purchasing clothes.
According to the prosecutor’s office, from May 1, 2009 to February 25, 2013, on the instructions and organization of Saakashvili, 9 million GEL (about 5.4 million dollars at the time) was spent from the state budget for his personal needs.
The new term of imprisonment will be calculated from the moment of Saakashvili’s detention – October 1, 2021. Thus, according to the verdict, he will be able to be released on October 1, 2030. Currently, Saakashvili is already serving a six-year term after being found guilty of beating deputy Valery Gelashvili in 2005.
