Parliament official: state agencies ensuring Saakashvili’s safety in detention

Anri Okhanashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, on Monday said "relevant state agencies" were ensuring the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was "safe, provided with all necessary services, and served his sentence in an environment prescribed by the Georgian legislation".

In his remarks over the latest developments around the former official, Okhanashvili alleged a “group of interests, a person or persons” were "lobbying" Saakashvili not to serve his sentence "despite the seriousness" of his crimes.

Relevant state agencies [...] have to take all appropriate measures so that inmate Saakashvili is safe, provided with all appropriate services he needs for his health, and serves his sentence in an environment and circumstances prescribed by our legislation”, the Parliament official said. 

Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, after his clandestine return to Georgia, and is serving a six-year term for two separate abuse of power cases, with three other cases involving his term pending. He has been receiving treatment at Vivamedi clinic in Tbilisi since May 12.

His lawyers and family members have claimed the former president is in “urgent need” of treatment abroad and alleged local professionals had been “unable” to make “accurate diagnosis and ensure relevant treatment” for months.