Justice Minister: "radical" opposition "purposefully spreading disinformation" on human rights violation, torture

While the Georgian public should be united to present the country "in the best possible way" for the ongoing European integration, it is “unacceptable” that the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition is “purposefully spreading disinformation" on human rights violations and torture in the country, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said on Tuesday in comments on the ongoing controversy around the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili.

In an interview with Rustavi 2 channel, Bregadze said his body would "do its best to protect" citizens and the country "from disinformation and manipulations" over the state of Saakashvili’s health, which he said was being released by the latter's lawyers and the "radical opposition" over the recent days. The Minsiter claimed a “manipulative campaign" had been directed "against the state" and aimed at “damaging the image” of Georgia in the process.

I will remind the public once again that Saakashvili is engaged in self-harm [...] to [purposefully] complicate his condition, in a bid to leave prison'', Bregadze noted.

• Ex-pres. Saakashvili “self-harming”, not following doctors’ instructions - Justice Minister

Reacting to photographs of Saakashvili published last week by the opposition-minded Formula TV, the official said they had been taken during the examination conducted by invited foreign professionals by the  domestic rehabilitation Empathy centre, pointing out the centre should have kept its subsequent health report confidential. 

Instead, sections from the report have been deliberately extracted and published to portray the Government as a torturer, as well as Saakashvili's conversation with health professionals as if he had been tortured", the Minister said. 

To prevent the spread of "fake information" over former President's health and "exerting pressure" on court to grant his release on medical grounds, Bregadze said his body could be "forced" to publish "certain footage", which "clearly shows" how Saakashvili was refusing to follow doctors' instructions and hindering the court's activities. 

The Government has done its utmost to ensure the protection of all the rights of the convicted former President. However, [on his part] we have witnessed disobedience to the orders of law enforcement officials, abuse of [prison] employees, as well as attempts to impede trial hearings when a prosecutor had entered the Vivamedi civilian clinic [to allow his engagement in the process]", Bregadze said.

• PM says ex-pres. Saakashvili has been offered any doctor from any country for his treatment

He noted Saakashvili had been receiving “timely and adequate” medical services at the clinic since May and was restricted from using electronic cigarette for its "overuse and potential damage to his health". 

His lawyer has tried to portray the fact as Saakashvili's torture. Just image how correct their [Saakashvili and his entourage] other claims can be", the official said. 

Saakashvili has been receiving treatment in the Vivamedi clinic since May 12, after he was moved from the Gori Military Hospital - where he was transferred in late November from the hospital of the Gldani No.18 prison - where he was moved in early November last year from the Rustavi No.12 prison - where he was initially placed.

The third President, currently a citizen of Ukraine, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 on his clandestine return to Georgia ahead of municipal elections. The former Georgian president has been serving a six-year term for abuse of power in two separate cases stemming back to his time in office, while three other cases are pending.

A trial hearing at Tbilisi City Court on granting Saakashvili the release on medical grounds or postponing the rest of his sentence will be held on Wednesday after being postponed from Friday due to technical issues with ensuring his participation via a video link.