24 April 2024,   16:53
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In 2008, Georgia fought a 5-day war that ended in humiliating defeat, the loss of territory, as commander in chief, Saakashvili was ultimately held responsible - BBC

BBC publishes an article about Georgia. According to the author, “in 2008, Georgia fought a 5-day war that ended in humiliating defeat, the loss of territory, as commander in chief, Saakashvili was ultimately held responsible.

“Mikheil Saakashvili was just 36-years-old when in 2003 he led the so-called Rose Revolution, against Georgia’s old Soviet-era leadership.

He came to power the following year with more than 96% of the vote and moved quickly to carry out reforms - cracking down on organised crime, rebuilding the police force, and cutting red tape for business.

Georgia’s economy boomed.

But in 2008, Georgia fought a five-day war with Russia over South Ossetia that ended in humiliating defeat, the loss of territory, and the displacement of tens of thousands of Georgians. As commander in chief, Saakashvili was ultimately held responsible.

His government became increasingly authoritarian, shutting down a critical media channel, violently dispersing protests, extorting money from businesses, and imprisoning thousands of people for minor offences.

The final straw came in a video on the eve of elections in 2012 featuring allegations of prison torture and abuse. Georgians voted decisively against Saakashvili"s United National Movement ending its nine years in power”, - writes the author.

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