President Zurabishvili on pardoning ex. pres. Saakashvili: no and never
Although President Salome Zurabishvili says ex-president Mikhei Saakashvvili is not eligible to be pardoned, she said that considering high public and political interest, Saakashvili should be treated as a special prisoner. Photo: Mzia Saganelidze/RFERL
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has reiterated her previous claims that she will not pardon arrested ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili.
My position about pardoning ex-president unchanged and unwavering – no and never”, Salome Zurabishvili said at a special news briefing today.
She said Saakashvili, who was arrested a day before the October 2 municipal elections in Tbilisi, ‘does not comply with any criteria of a political prisoner or of an innocent victim'.
He is a convict, who entered the country voluntarily and illegally, aimed to cause destabilisation. Nevertheless, considering high public and political interest, he should be treated as a special prisoner”, President Zurabishvili said.
Salome Zurabishvili said all the measures should be taken to ensure that his deterioration of health not be used for political speculations or destabilisation. This, President Zurabishvili said, requires “as much transparency and timely response as possible’ in case of Saakashvili’s deterioration of health.
Day 34 of a hunger strike. #FreeSaakashvili
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 3, 2021
Earlier today the Special Penitentiary Service has announced that Saakashvili’s health remains stable and he is under the constant supervision of health professionals.
Opposition politicians and their supporters are holding rallies demanding ex-president Saakashvili’s release from the Rustavi No. 12 penitentiary facility.
Meanwhile, Droa leader Elene Khoshtaria has gone on a hunger strike demanding Saakashvili’s transfer to a civil hospital for treatment.
Today, I started a hunger-strike in the ???????? parliament until @SaakashviliM is transferred to a civic hospital. I’m not his supporter and have been his critic, but the ???????? govt’s treatment of him goes beyond any norm. Unfortunately, we are only left with extreme means of protest.
— Helen Khoshtaria (@Helenkhosh) November 3, 2021
Khoshtaria said although she is neither member of Saakashvili’s party, nor his voter, she is concerned by ‘sadist and cynic revenge’ against him as a citizen of Georgia and the country’s third president.
Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, faces seven criminal charges including the recent illegal crossing of the state border.
Denying the charges he remains on hunger strike. His lawyers and supporters call on the government of Georgia to allow Saakashvili’s delivery to a civil hospital amid his deteriorated health conditions, but Justice Minister Rati Bregadze suggests a prison hospital is also safe.