UNM member Baramidze, opera singer Burchuladze announce hunger strike in support of Saakashvili

Baramidze and Burchuladze demand Saakashvili's transfer to a civil clinic. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Agenda.ge, 14 Nov 2021 - 20:21, Tbilisi,Georgia

Opposition United National Movement (UNM) member Giorgi Baramidze and opera singer Paata Burchuladze have announced a hunger strike, demanding the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili be transferred from the prison hospital where he is currently receiving care to a civil clinic.

Baramidze said that he will stay in the UNM office during his hunger strike.

Since I am not an MP, I can't join [the protest] in the parliament building. Therefore, I'll carry out this process in the UNM central office, he said.

Burchuladze said that he will arrive in Georgia tomorrow to start his hunger strike. He also addressed the fellow Georgian artists to join his protest.

Artists, my colleagues, writers, painters, who have the wish and the ability, join me, Burchuladze wrote on his Facebook page.

US-based Georgian doctors Nana Gegechkori and Zurab Guruli who have been actively campaigning to raise awareness on pandemic-related measures in Georgia say that considering Saakashvili's symptoms, the former president's life is under risk. 

Gegechkori and Guruli claim that Saakashvili has gastrointestinal and neurological problems that might even require surgery.

Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after a clandestine return from eight years in political exile. He considers himself a ‘political prisoner’ and claims to be on a hunger strike.

The former president, who was serving his sentence in Rustavi Prison No.12, was transferred to Gldani prison hospital on November 8 to ‘prevent deterioration in his health due to increased risks,' the penitentiary service reported.

Saakashvili released a letter from prison hospital on November 11, saying that he is ready to call off his hunger strike if taken to a multifunctional clinic for rehabilitation.