Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has refused to answer journalists’ questions about the European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) judgement of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s complaint and his transfer to Gldani No. 18 prison hospital on November 8.
Garibashvili announced that in the coming hours, Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze will deliver a comprehensive explanation regarding the ECHR decision, adding that ‘I finished talking about prisoners.’
There is a lot of issues in the country and I can only concentrate on this topic,” said Garibashvili.
The ECHR has urged the ex-president to call off his hunger strike and demanded that the Georgian government inform them about Saakashvili’s health and ensure proper medical care for him now and after his hunger strike.
However, the judgement was taken differently by the government and the opposition.
Bregadze posted that the ex-president’s complaint was rejected by the body, while Saakashvili's legal team said the court had granted their request and ‘decided to give priority to the application.’
The opposition also underscored that the court's judgement put an end to speculation about Saakashvili's hunger strike by acknowledging it.
Day 42 of a hunger strike. #FreeSaakashvili
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 11, 2021
Saakashvili, who has been on a hunger strike for 42 days, was transferred to Gldani prison hospital against his will and was allegedly verbally and physically assaulted during this process.
The State Inspector’s Service began an investigation of the incident, during which Saakashvili was questioned and medically examined yesterday.
The international community and various NGOs are calling on the state to ensure the former president’s safety and to provide him with proper medical care.