Rehan Dimitri

A judge found the ex-president guilty and sentenced him to nine years in prison. That is in addition to the six years he is already serving for abuses of power. Mikhail Saakashvili's defense argued that the expenses were for official presidential functions.

A judge found the ex-president guilty and sentenced him to nine years in prison. That is in addition to the six years he is already serving for abuses of power. Mikhail Saakashvili's defense argued that the expenses were for official presidential functions.

Saakashvili has long maintained that his imprisonment is politically motivated, driven by revenge from the current de facto ruler of the country, billionaire Bedzina Ivanishvili. During Saakashvili's 10 years president, Georgia became an economic success story in the region, but it also fought a war with Russia in 2008.

Saakashvili has long maintained that his imprisonment is politically motivated, driven by revenge from the current de facto ruler of the country, billionaire Bedzina Ivanishvili. During Saakashvili's 10 years president, Georgia became an economic success story in the region, but it also fought a war with Russia in 2008.

After leaving presidential office in 2013, Mikhail Saakashvili spent eight years in exile before smuggling himself back into Georgia in October 2021. He was promptly arrested and has remained incarcerated since then.

After leaving presidential office in 2013, Mikhail Saakashvili spent eight years in exile before smuggling himself back into Georgia in October 2021. He was promptly arrested and has remained incarcerated since then.

The BBC's Azeri Service and Turan News Agency were the last two independent news sources in the oil-rich country of 10 million people. The BBC Azeri website had up to one million readers per week, providing impartial news in a country where information is tightly controlled.

The BBC's Azeri Service and Turan News Agency were the last two independent news sources in the oil-rich country of 10 million people. The BBC Azeri website had up to one million readers per week, providing impartial news in a country where information is tightly controlled.

More than 20 independent Azerbaijani journalists have been jailed since the government intensified its crackdown on independent media in 2023. journalists are often accused of currency smuggling, a charge that human rights groups have described as dubious.

More than 20 independent Azerbaijani journalists have been jailed since the government intensified its crackdown on independent media in 2023. journalists are often accused of currency smuggling, a charge that human rights groups have described as dubious.

Last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists, which promotes press freedom around the globe, named Azerbaijan among the world's top 10 countries for jailing journalists.

Last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists, which promotes press freedom around the globe, named Azerbaijan among the world's top 10 countries for jailing journalists.

Thousands of teachers across Georgia transferred around 50 cents each to the account of one of their colleagues, Lado Abkhazava, to help him pay a fine for protesting.

Thousands of teachers across Georgia transferred around 50 cents each to the account of one of their colleagues, Lado Abkhazava, to help him pay a fine for protesting.

On Monday, Mr Abkhazava, along with several activists, including internationally renowned Georgian jazz singer Nino Katamadze, were ordered by a judge to pay the equivalent of US$1,800 each for picketing outside the house of an official.

On Monday, Mr Abkhazava, along with several activists, including internationally renowned Georgian jazz singer Nino Katamadze, were ordered by a judge to pay the equivalent of US$1,800 each for picketing outside the house of an official.

Mr Abkhazava told the judge that he was a single parent with four foster children and couldn't afford to pay the fine, which is the equivalent to four-month pay for a teacher. Rehan Dimitri.

Mr Abkhazava told the judge that he was a single parent with four foster children and couldn't afford to pay the fine, which is the equivalent to four-month pay for a teacher. Rehan Dimitri.

No justice, no peace. Police is everywhere. Justice nowhere. A group of protesters are shouting outside the constitutional court in the black sea town of Batumi, western Georgia. Here, just as in the capital Tbilisi, anti-government protests have been going on for over two months, demanding fresh elections. Now they want freedom for a local journalist. Freedom to Mzia, they chant.

No justice, no peace. Police is everywhere. Justice nowhere. A group of protesters are shouting outside the constitutional court in the black sea town of Batumi, western Georgia. Here, just as in the capital Tbilisi, anti-government protests have been going on for over two months, demanding fresh elections. Now they want freedom for a local journalist. Freedom to Mzia, they chant.