Saakashvili stops cooperating with medical council, refuses to receive treatment
In his recent letter, former president Saakashvili also called on Georgian citizens to actively participate in the election run-offs, noting that ‘the extension of my life is entirely tied to your decision tomorrow.’ Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been on hunger strike since his arrest in Tbilisi on October 1, announced earlier today that he will no longer cooperate with the medical council and will refuse to receive hunger-related treatment.
Saakashvili's lawyer Giorgi Gelkhauri stated earlier today that the reason for the ex-president’s recent decision is the Georgian government’s refusal to transfer him to a civil hospital.
It was established that there [prison hospital] is no technical equipment with which Mikheil Saakashvili can receive qualified medical treatment,” said Gelkhauri.
“I’m appealing for help, not for myself, but for a Georgian democracy by taking this desperate step of coming and turning myself in. I wanted both, to express solidarity to my suffering nation and awaken the consciousness of the World.” #FreeSaakashvili pic.twitter.com/eNToDIGSVe
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) October 21, 2021
He also noted that Saakashvili requires medical help in order to be able to stay sane, write letters and address the public before municipal election run-offs scheduled for tomorrow.
In his recent letter, former president Saakashvili also called on Georgian citizens to actively participate in the election run-offs, noting that ‘the extension of my life is entirely tied to your decision tomorrow.’
I strongly believe in reconciliation and unification of society with victory,” Saakashvili says.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said yesterday that Saakashvili has plans to stage a provocation if he is brought to a civil clinic, saying that the Georgian government has ensured comprehensive medical care for him in prison.
However, Gelkhauri places the responsibility for Saakashvili’s health on the state and PM Garibashvili.
Saakashvili, who served as the country’s third president from 2004 to 2013, was sentenced to six years imprisonment in two cases of abuse of power in absentia in 2018, and additionally is charged with several other offences, including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal, and illegal border crossing.