The European Court of Human Rights has upheld the Georgian government’s stance regarding presidential pardon powers and dismissed Mikheil Saakashvili’s claims of political persecution. Such a statement made today the Minister of Justice.

Rati Bregadze highlighted that the court’s decision affirmed the government’s stance that the president’s right to pardon is not absolute discretion and its abuse may be punishable under criminal law.

“Today’s decision of the Strasbourg court is another clear proof that justice was carried out in Georgia in full compliance with European standards. The decision confirmed the fairness of former president’s trial and conviction.

Saakashvili, who has been serving a 6-year sentence for the severe beating of Valery Gelashvili and the controversial pardoning of individuals convicted in the murder of Sandro Girgvliani, had contested the Georgian court’s decision, claiming judicial bias, insufficient evidence, and political persecution.

However, the European Court dismissed all these allegations, supporting the Georgian government’s legal arguments. The European Court refused Saakashvili’s demands, fully endorsing the government’s evidence and concluding that the investigation, prosecution, and conviction met European Convention standards. The judge’s impartiality is not in doubt, and the evidence against Saakashvili was credible, unmistakable, and well-founded”, - said Rati Bregadze.