Former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of embezzling state funds. The verdict, delivered on March 11, marks the latest chapter in the tumultuous political career of the ex-president, who has been embroiled in legal battles and controversies since leaving office.

According to Georgian media outlet Mtavari Arxi, Saakashvili was convicted of embezzling approximately $3.2 million in what has been referred to as the “suits and bouquets” case. Prosecutors accused him of misappropriating state funds for personal expenses, including designer suits, coats, luxury watches, and even cosmetic procedures. Additionally, Saakashvili allegedly used government money to finance his son’s education, rent expensive vehicles, and charter private planes.

The court also ruled against Teimuraz Janashia, Saakashvili’s former head of security, who was convicted but received a comparatively lenient penalty-a fine of 3,000 lari (approximately $1,000). The decision underscores the severity of the charges against Saakashvili, as he faces a near-decade-long sentence behind bars.

Saakashvili’s legal problems date back to 2014 when he was first charged with embezzlement, shortly after leaving Georgia. His tenure as president (2004-2013) was marked by a mix of democratic reforms and accusations of authoritarianism, particularly his handling of political dissent and opposition movements. He fled Georgia after his second term ended, fearing prosecution from his successors.

The former president’s return to Georgia in 2021 was a dramatic episode. He entered the country in secret just before parliamentary elections, aiming to rally support for the opposition. However, authorities swiftly detained him upon his arrival, and he has been in prison ever since. During his incarceration, Saakashvili has frequently complained of deteriorating health, a matter that has raised concerns among his supporters and human rights organizations.

Mikhail Saakashvili rose to power as a pro-Western reformist leader following Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution, a movement that ousted the old political establishment and promised modernization and transparency. Initially hailed as a transformative leader, he implemented sweeping economic reforms and cracked down on corruption. However, his presidency was also marked by allegations of political repression and the controversial decision to launch a military offensive in South Ossetia in 2008.

Saakashvili ordered Georgian forces to retake the breakaway region, leading to a brief but intense war with Russia. The conflict resulted in significant territorial losses for Georgia, as Russian forces not only repelled the Georgian military but also recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. His handling of the war was widely criticized, with many in Georgia blaming him for miscalculating Russia’s response and deepening the country’s vulnerabilities.

Another defining moment of Saakashvili’s presidency was his government’s violent suppression of anti-government protests in 2007. Security forces used excessive force against demonstrators, prompting concerns from international human rights organizations about the state of democracy in Georgia.

Following the conclusion of his presidency, Saakashvili left Georgia to avoid prosecution and spent time in various countries before settling in Ukraine. In 2015, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko granted him citizenship and appointed him as the governor of the Odessa region. Saakashvili’s tenure in Ukrainian politics, however, was short-lived and tumultuous. He resigned within a year, accusing the Kyiv government of corruption. His falling out with Poroshenko led to the revocation of his Ukrainian citizenship, forcing him into exile once again.

Despite losing his Ukrainian citizenship, Saakashvili remained politically active. He later reconciled with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and regained his citizenship in 2019. However, his involvement in Ukrainian politics never fully recovered, and his focus eventually returned to Georgia, culminating in his ill-fated return in 2021.

Saakashvili remains a deeply polarizing figure in Georgia. To his supporters, he is a visionary leader who modernized the country, reduced corruption, and strengthened ties with the West. To his detractors, he is an authoritarian who abused power, mishandled the economy, and recklessly engaged in military confrontations that weakened Georgia’s standing.

His imprisonment has been a point of contention within Georgian society and internationally. Human rights organizations and some Western governments have expressed concerns over the conditions of his detention, particularly regarding his health. His allies claim that his imprisonment is politically motivated, orchestrated by the ruling Georgian Dream party to eliminate him as a political threat.

Saakashvili’s sentencing could have significant implications for Georgia’s political future. His imprisonment effectively sidelines him from active participation in politics, but his influence remains strong among opposition supporters. His party, the United National Movement (UNM), continues to challenge the ruling government, and his incarceration has become a rallying point for those who oppose the current administration.

Internationally, the case raises questions about Georgia’s democratic trajectory. While the ruling party insists that the judiciary acted independently, critics argue that the legal actions against Saakashvili are part of a broader pattern of political retribution. The European Union and the United States have previously urged Georgia to ensure fair treatment for political figures, signaling that Saakashvili’s fate could have diplomatic repercussions.

As Georgia approaches upcoming elections, the country remains divided over Saakashvili’s legacy. Whether his imprisonment will weaken or galvanize the opposition remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Mikhail Saakashvili’s story-marked by dramatic rises and falls-continues to shape the country’s political landscape.

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