Amnesty International on Saakashvili’s transfer: not just selective justice but apparent political revenge
Saakashvili, who has allegedly been on hunger strike for 41 days, was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after illegally crossing the national border. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Amnesty International has responded to recent developments in Georgia, and accused the Georgian government of carrying out political revenge following former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer to Gldani No. 18 prison hospital, allegedly against his will.
The world’s largest human rights movement has tweeted that Saakashvili was ‘denied dignity, privacy and adequate healthcare.’
#Georgia: ex-President #Saakashvili (5th week of hunger strike) violently transferred to prison hospital; allegedly threatened; denied dignity, privacy & adequate healthcare. Not just selective justice but apparent political revenge.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) November 9, 2021
The Georgian Special Penitentiary Service reported two days ago that the ex-president was transferred to Gldani prison hospital ‘to prevent deterioration in health due to increased risks.'
However, Saakashvili stated that he was verbally and physically assaulted by prison staff and inmates when transferred to the facility.
The State Inspector’s Service has begun an investigation into the alleged offense and has requested footage from Saakashvili’s transfer to Gldani prison hospital from the penitentiary service, for further review by the court.
Head of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), Nika Simonishvili, has also urged the Georgian government to immediately transfer Saakashvili from Gldani prison hospital, stating that ‘it is a humiliating and inhuman environment for him.’
A total of seven NGOs released a statement yesterday in which they call on the state to transfer Saakashvili to an ‘alternative medical institution.’
We call on @GovernmentGeo 2 take all the steps necessary to de-escalate situation. It is vital that t/@SaakashviliM would be immediately transferred to an alternative medical institution. https://t.co/R9AzGsyCos
— Transparency Int'l GE (@Transparency_GE) November 9, 2021
Saakashvili, who has been on hunger strike for 41 days, was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after illegally crossing the national border.
He is sentenced to six years of imprisonment for abuse of power in two cases. The former president also faces several other charges, including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal, and illegal border crossing.
The US government has also called on Georgian authorities to take steps to ensure Saakashvili’s urgent psychological and physical needs.
The former president refused to receive hunger-related treatment, including tests, following the release of footage by the Georgian Special Penitentiary Service of him receiving food in Rustavi Prison No.12 on November 6.