"He returned to Georgia with the dream of organizing another Rose Revolution. I do not see it. There is no time for revolutions," said the former US Deputy Secretary of State, Daniel Fried, in an interview with "Voice of America."
He says it is never good when a former president is arrested.
"This is not what democracies do in general. This is never good. Mikheil Saakashvili is a divisive figure. He draws attention and is dramatic. But it is also clear to me that the Georgian society no longer has the respect it had in the early years when he ruled.
The election showed that the opposition is strongly represented in many cities, in many local governments. I read it in the OSCE / ODIHR report. This election was held with irregularities, and I expected better from the government, but the political forces clashed in this election. It was not an election like the one held in Russia. This election was flawed but competitive. I do not like that Saakashvili arrived with a parachute and decided to enter a country while riding a horse. But on the other hand, is his place really in prison? His presence in prison hurts the Georgian Dream," noted Daniel Fried.
