I would like to see more control and more criticism coming from Europe. The constant expressions of friendship for former President Eduard Shevardnadze, who made some contribution to German unity, were counterproductive for our country.

We lived in a totalitarian system for more than 70 years, and our views are still under its influence. Many heads of state in the former Soviet republics believe that they must have total power.

The West didn't see our real situation, and we were blinded by the compliments coming from the Europeans and Americans.

I hope to be granted asylum. Deportation [ from Germany] that would be a death sentence for me.

I worked with Mikhail Saakashvili for more than six years. I was his right-hand man. He never accused me of anything during that time. But the minute I switched to the opposition, I was suddenly called a criminal. It was a political maneuver.

I think that our society will not allow anyone to establish a dictatorship again in the future. [Mikhail] Saakashvili will fail.

Our prison in Georgia is a very different place from this prison here in Berlin. The conditions there are inhuman.