The trial of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is underway at the Tbilisi City Court. The accused himself does not attend the hearing.
Supporters of the ex-president, politicians, and opposition leaders are on the ground. Supporters chant, "Misha, Misha." They also express support with trumpets.
A large number of law enforcement officers are mobilized on the spot.
Mikheil Saakashvili is not attending the trial by the decision of the Special Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.
According to Mikheil Saakashvili's lawyer, Beka Basilaia, despite the pain and general weakness, Mikheil Saakashvili is ready to gather strength and attend the trial, but the penitentiary service does not allow him to do so. Basilaia says that the law does not allow the penitentiary service to make this decision. Basilaia says Saakashvili is strong and willing to go to trial.
As Basilaia noted, the third president was not even informed that the court had sent a relevant request to attend the trial.
