On March 12, Judge Badri Kochlamazashvili sentenced former President Mikheil Saakashvili to nine years in prison in the so-called Jackets Case, which involved the misappropriation of state funds.

The court found Saakashvili guilty of misusing approximately 3 million euros (9 million GEL) from the state budget between 2009 and 2012. Prosecutors stated that these funds, allocated to the Special State Protection Service, were spent on personal expenses, including luxury hotel stays, spa visits, cosmetic treatments, and clothing purchases for Saakashvili, his close associates, friends, and family.

The courtroom erupted in unrest following the verdict, with Saakashvili’s supporters labeling the judge a "slave" of the current government. Saakashvili has consistently denied all charges, characterizing them as politically motivated. Beyond the embezzlement case, he faces additional charges, including illegally crossing the border into Georgia in 2021 and involvement in the violent dispersal of anti-government protests in 2007.

In a related ruling, former Special State Protection Service head Teimuraz Janashia, who was also a defendant in the case, was fined 100,000 euros (300,000 GEL). The judge stated that while there was no evidence Janashia personally spent the funds, he had "used his position against the public interest."

Notably, Saakashvili rose to prominence during the 2003 Rose Revolution, which led to significant political and economic reforms during his presidency. However, his tenure was also criticized for alleged authoritarian practices and the 2008 conflict with Russia. After leaving office, he briefly served as the governor of Odesa in Ukraine before returning to Georgia in 2021, where he was promptly arrested.