State Inspector’s Service to investigate alleged attack on ex-pres. Saakashvili following his transfer to prison hospital
Saakashvili stated in his letter that he was cursed at by inmates when transferred to Gldani prison, and that the ‘criminals’ were amused when he approached the building. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The State Inspector’s Service will investigate the alleged physical assault on ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili when he was transferred to Gldani prison hospital on November 8.
Saakashvili claims that prison staff verbally and physically abused him, saying ‘[they] dragged me to the ground and hit me several times in the neck.’
The body’s investigator Giorgi Mikeladze visited Saakashvili yesterday in the Gldani prison facility, but due to Covid-19 regulations the inquiry did not take place.
Mikeladze reported that the former president agreed to undergo a medical examination, though on the condition of participation by experts of his choosing.
Against numerous calls by doctors, Ombudsman, human rights organizations, hungerstriking Pres @SaakashviliM was forcefully taken by the authorities to penitentiary hospital subjecting him to various threats to his health & physical safety in violation of fundamental human rights
— UNM Georgia (ენმ) (@UNMGeorgia) November 8, 2021
A medical examination is needed to find out if there are any signs of health damage on his body. He agreed to do so,” Mikeladze said.
Saakashvili also consented to request his personal information from the state institutions.
The State Inspector’s Service has already requested to archive footage from Saakashvili’s transfer to Gldani prison hospital from the penitentiary service, for further review by the court.
Saakashvili stated in his letter that he was cursed at by inmates when transferred to Gldani prison, and that the ‘criminals’ were amused when he approached the building.
Mikheil Saakashvili, who reportedly has been on hunger strike for 41 days, was transferred to Gldani No.18 prison hospital ‘to prevent deterioration in health due to increased risks,' the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service reported on November 8.
Day 41 of a hunger strike. #FreeSaakashvili
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 10, 2021
However, the ex-president’s family members and lawyers said that they were not informed of the decision, calling it ‘abduction.’
Opposition leaders claim that transfer to Gldani hospital poses a great danger considering medical and safety conditions in the facility.
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria reported that Saakashvili was fraudulently brought to Gldani hospital, noting that the ex-president thought he would be transferred to a public hospital as the medical council concluded.
Several NGOs, US and EU embassies are calling on the Georgian government to provide proper medical care for the former Georgian president and to transfer him to an ‘alternative medical facility.’