Ex-president Saakashvili applies for business visa in U.S.
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Georgia's ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, who currently lives in the U.S., has applied to acquire a business visa.
Former leader of Georgia left the country after his successor Giorgi Margvelashvili inaugurated to start his presidency, in November, 2013.
"Saakashvili wants to change his tourist status in the U.S for business visa," The New York Times reported, noting that the graduate of the Columbia University wants to resume his lectures at the influential Taft University in the U.S.
Tbilisi court arrested the assets belonging to Saakashvili and his family as he refused to attend the investigative procedures on three different criminal cases.
Saakahsvili was announced wanted within Georgia's territory after the Prosecutor General's Office blamed him for the embezzlement of state funds in the amount of $5 million for personal needs, as well as for the dispersal of the massive rallies on November 7, 2007. The office has also added that it started the procedure to announce Saakashvili internationally wanted.
Saakashvili claims that the Georgian authorities began political persecution against him and his supporters, while the ruling Georgian dream coalition on its turn states that "procedure to restore justice" has started in the country.
Meantime, the initial hearing on criminal cases against Saakashvili was postponed to November 19.
"Hearing was postponed. Prosecutor's Office needs more time," former president's law defender Otar Kakhidze said.
The Tbilisi Court decided on August 6 to hold hearings on criminal charges against Saakashvili on September 22.