"It is a mockery and insult to the Georgian people that Saakashvili, a well-known authoritarian, almost dictatorial former ruler who was the creator of a oppressive, murderous system, was awarded a prize for the development of democracy and the protection of human rights," Garibashvili told reporters.

He added that the "Saakashvili system" tortured people, raped, tortured and killed and the assignment of this prize to the ex-president is absurd, RIA Novosti writes.

The agency notes that Saakashvili received this award in absentia, members of his family were present at the ceremony.

Mikheil Saakashvili said earlier that he intends to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his release from prison.