Georgian ex-president hopes for freedom in future prisoner exchange

Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili who is currently serving a prison sentence in Georgia on multiple charges, has expressed hope for his release in case of a future prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries.

Saakashvili described as a "prisoner of Putin labeled the charges that led to his six-year prison sentence as fabricated, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media referring to a letter received from the ex-president..

He also reminded that he faces additional trials in Georgia, with the possibility of a new sentence of up to 11 years.

“I learned of the recent historic prisoner swap between Russia and the West from the confines of my cell in Tbilisi. It filled me with joy to know that my friend Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British citizen, was among those released,” he wrote.

"The prisoner exchange on August 1 has revived my hopes that one day I will also have a chance to taste freedom," he wrote. "I live in hope, because without it, I have nothing."

On August 1, the US and Russia conducted a historic prisoner exchange, releasing two dozen detainees, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. This sweeping deal involved at least seven countries.

The massive swap resulted from years of intricate behind-the-scenes negotiations among the US, Russia, Belarus, and Germany. Ultimately, Berlin agreed to Moscow's key demand—releasing convicted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov.

In total, eight individuals, including Krasikov, were returned to Russia in exchange for 16 detainees held in Russia, including four Americans.

In addition to Whelan and Gershkovich, the exchange freed prominent Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, a US permanent resident, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.