Saakashvili

Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian and Ukrainian politician who served as the third President of Georgia from 2004 to 2013. He was a prominent figure in the Rose Revolution of 2003, which led to the resignation of Eduard Shevardnadze. As president, Saakashvili initiated a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Georgia and combating corruption, including significant changes in the police force and judiciary. His presidency was marked by efforts to integrate Georgia with Western institutions, particularly NATO and the European Union.

The Russo-Georgian War of 2008 occurred during his tenure, leading to a significant diplomatic crisis and a brief conflict with Russia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following his second term, Saakashvili's political influence waned in Georgia.

In 2015, he was granted Ukrainian citizenship and appointed Governor of Odesa Oblast. He later founded a political party in Ukraine and was involved in Ukrainian politics, often in opposition to the ruling government. Saakashvili has faced legal challenges and investigations in Georgia, with accusations of abuse of power, which he has consistently denied, often characterizing them as politically motivated. His return to Georgia in 2021 led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, where he has remained, with ongoing concerns raised by his supporters regarding his health and treatment.