Mikheil Saakashvili was jailed in 2021 (Image: GETTY)
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson penned a Christmas message for jailed Mikheil Saakashvili, who was the President of post-Soviet Georgia three times.
The Georgian politician counts several Western leaders among his supporters thanks to the work he has done to bring his country closer to Europe and NATO allies. In turn, he is seen as an enemy of Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
In his letter, Mr Johnson addressed Mr Saakashvili with the nickname he is known as in Georgia. The message read: "Dear Misha, this Christmas we remember your courage and vision in building a free Georgia, and we wish you luck with the next chapter in your people’s extraordinary success."
The former Conservative leader signed off the card by writing, "Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!", which means "Victory to Georgia".
Powered By
00:00/00:54
10
10
Nikita gets teary as his and Layton's scores come in
Share
Next
Stay
The letter was accompanied by a very cheerful photograph showing Mr Johnson dressed as Santa and giving a thumb up to the camera while climbing a Christmas tree.
READ MORE: Putin given chilling warning as Ukrainian spies vow to step up attacks in Russia
Boris Johnson expressed his support to Mikheil Saakashvili (Image: POWERSCOURT GROUP)
In the picture, one of Mr Johnson's children also makes a rare appearance, seen from behind while it looks up at his father.
Mr Johnson is one of the many Western personalities who continue to support Mr Saakashvili, who in 2003 led the bloodless Rose Revolution against the then President of Georgia - a politician close to the Kremlin accused of rigging that year's elections - Eduard Shevardnadze.
In 2005, Mr Saakashvili was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Hillary Clinton.
Three years later, however, he made a major enemy out of Russia during the Russo-Georgian War, which left the state of Georgia maimed of one-fifth of its territory.
Don't miss...
'I am banning my nephew from my home on Christmas because he is a little thief' [LATEST]
Putin misery as new electric car mocked as ‘ugliest EVER designed’ [LATEST]
Children watch in horror as Russian Santa falls to his death during stunt [LATEST]
The Georgian leader, who said Putin once threatened to "hang me by the b***s", left his country for the US in 2014, and remained outside Georgia until 2021. When he returned, he was arrested.
Now, Mr Saakashvili is serving a six-year prison sentence on charges of abuse of power and organisation of an assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against a member of the opposition.
His supporters have claimed these are bogus and politically motivated charges, issued in the wake of the rise to power of the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party.
Petre Tsiskarishvili, the General Secretary of the United National Movement party founded by Mr Saakashvili, said: "One of the more troubling aspects of the Georgian Dream’s time in government has been the weaponisation of the criminal court system for the purposes of settling political scores. Saakashvili’s imprisonment, in particular, threatens to damage our standing on the global stage."
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Trending
The Georgian politician, who describes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as his friend and supported Ukraine after the first Russian invasion in 2014, also claimed in an article penned for Politico he is being "systematically tortured, physically and psychologically".
DON'T MISS
Powered by
WW3 fears skyrocket as Putin threatens to expand war to EU nations
441 Comments
EU fears over Russia Cold War confirmed as Vladimir Putin no longer a 'short-term problem'
28 Comments
EU nations risk becoming 'vassals' in German-dominated superstate, worried insiders warn
1505 Comments
Putin sends terrifying threat to UK and warns of 'serious consequences' over ￡300bn fund
316 Comments
Spy chiefs expose Putin's terrifying plot to strike Europe while US is 'leaderless'
12 Comments
Vladimir Putin's plan to ‘tear the US apart' during 2024 election exposed
7 Comments
EU 'reaches new low' as infighting erupts after Vladimir Putin ally's shameless move
73 Comments
Tories face 'death' unless they address two critical weaknesses, says polling mastermind
87 Comments
Putin 'could be ousted tomorrow' as ex-CIA boss warns of Russia coup
223 Comments
How the EU chooses empty symbolism again while UK leads the way - Robert Taylor
41 Comments
Ireland to sue UK over Boris Johnson Bill using hated secretive European court
1316 Comments
Major breakthrough for Ukraine as EU agrees to open talks for country to join bloc
215 Comments
Rwanda will tear Tories apart or force snap election, MPs warn
212 Comments
EU crony Donald Tusk in ‘destruction of democracy' as he shuts down Polish broadcaster
268 Comments
Russia bans TV star who wants to end Ukraine war from challenging Putin
20 Comments
Fears grow Putin is about to drag 'EU hopeful' country into Ukraine war
21 Comments
Express readers reach verdict on Britain's defence as Putin threatens World War III
64 Comments
Fears soar as Vladimir Putin's enemy Navalny still missing after prison disappearance
15 Comments
Britain may stand alone next year in lurching to the left, says Patrick O'Flynn
16 Comments
Russian delegates unanimously back Vladimir Putin's bid for re-election
10 Comments
WW3 fears skyrocket as Putin threatens to expand war to EU nations
441 Comments
EU fears over Russia Cold War confirmed as Vladimir Putin no longer a 'short-term problem'
28 Comments
EU nations risk becoming 'vassals' in German-dominated superstate, worried insiders warn
1505 Comments
Putin sends terrifying threat to UK and warns of 'serious consequences' over ￡300bn fund
316 Comments
Spy chiefs expose Putin's terrifying plot to strike Europe while US is 'leaderless'
12 Comments
Vladimir Putin's plan to ‘tear the US apart' during 2024 election exposed
7 Comments
EU 'reaches new low' as infighting erupts after Vladimir Putin ally's shameless move
73 Comments
Tories face 'death' unless they address two critical weaknesses, says polling mastermind
87 Comments
Putin 'could be ousted tomorrow' as ex-CIA boss warns of Russia coup
223 Comments
How the EU chooses empty symbolism again while UK leads the way - Robert Taylor
41 Comments
Ireland to sue UK over Boris Johnson Bill using hated secretive European court
1316 Comments
Major breakthrough for Ukraine as EU agrees to open talks for country to join bloc
215 Comments
Rwanda will tear Tories apart or force snap election, MPs warn
212 Comments
EU crony Donald Tusk in ‘destruction of democracy' as he shuts down Polish broadcaster
268 Comments
Russia bans TV star who wants to end Ukraine war from challenging Putin
20 Comments
Fears grow Putin is about to drag 'EU hopeful' country into Ukraine war
21 Comments
Express readers reach verdict on Britain's defence as Putin threatens World War III
64 Comments
Fears soar as Vladimir Putin's enemy Navalny still missing after prison disappearance
15 Comments
Britain may stand alone next year in lurching to the left, says Patrick O'Flynn
16 Comments
Russian delegates unanimously back Vladimir Putin's bid for re-election
10 Comments
WW3 fears skyrocket as Putin threatens to expand war to EU nations
441 Comments
EU fears over Russia Cold War confirmed as Vladimir Putin no longer a 'short-term problem'
28 Comments
EU nations risk becoming 'vassals' in German-dominated superstate, worried insiders warn
1505 Comments
Putin sends terrifying threat to UK and warns of 'serious consequences' over ￡300bn fund
316 Comments
Spy chiefs expose Putin's terrifying plot to strike Europe while US is 'leaderless'
12 Comments
Vladimir Putin's plan to ‘tear the US apart' during 2024 election exposed
7 Comments
EU 'reaches new low' as infighting erupts after Vladimir Putin ally's shameless move
73 Comments
In 2022, Mr Saakashvili also claimed to have been poisoned by heavy metals while he was in custody, an allegation reinforced by a report by US-based toxicologist David Smith who found heavy metals in the politician's tests. Mr Saakashvili previously said to believe the poisoning had been carried out by Russian agents.
In his Politico op-ed, he also wrote he is now dying, adding: "I now suffer from a bewildering array of over 20 serious illnesses, all of which developed in confinement."
Mr Saakashvili’s former Defence Minister David Kezerashvili said: "Western leaders risk handing Vladimir Putin a spectacular victory if they don’t act swiftly to end this unwarranted detention."
Related articles Inside the ￡150bn China has amassed as it benefits from Ukraine-Russia war Ukrainian troops beg 'please don't forget us' in desperate Christmas message