You're reading: RFE/RL: Saakashvili convicted of abuse of power, sentenced in absentia

A Georgian court has sentenced former President Mikheil Saakashvili in absentia to six years in prison after convicting him of abuse of power.

In a June 28 verdict, the Tbilisi City Court found Saakashvili guilty of abusing his authority as president by trying to cover up evidence related to the 2005 beating of opposition lawmaker Valery Gelashvili.

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