Ombudswoman: medical council should intensify work on Saakashvili’s healthcare
The legal team of the former president has requested the creation of the parity council of eight doctors appointed by them with the patronage of the public defender’s office. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has stated that the medical council created to monitor the health condition of ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili ‘should intensify its work’ and called on the Georgian Justice Ministry and the Special Penitentiary Service to ‘ensure the full protection of his health.’
Lomjaria noted that the Ombudsman’s office cannot ‘replace the government’ and take responsibility for Saakashvili’s healthcare, noting that it cannot determine the patient’s treatment tactics either.
A protocol of the activities of the council should be developed, which will determine the frequency of visits to the patient...It is necessary to revise the composition of the council and expand the circle of specialists based on the needs,” Lomjaria said.
Saakashvili, who currently serves his sentence of six years imprisonment, reportedly has been on hunger strike for 46 days since his arrest on October 1.
Day 44 of a hunger strike. #FreeSaakashvili
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 13, 2021
The medical council was created in the middle of October to monitor the ex-president’s health and to develop recommendations regarding treatment.
Lomjaria also stated that so far there has been no reason for casting a doubt on the competence and professionalism of the council.
The legal team of the former president has requested the creation of the parity council of eight doctors appointed by them with the patronage of the public defender’s office.
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However, the Georgian government keeps reiterating that Gldani prison hospital, where Saakashvili was transferred against his will on November 8, is fully equipped, noting that he receives the necessary treatment.
The Union of Georgian Medical Associations has demanded imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili be transferred to a civil hospital in order to ‘save his life.’
A total of 20 NGOs have addressed the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) to observe the human rights situation of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili who has been on hunger strike in prison for 43 days.
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The son of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, Eduard Saakashvili, has released a video address in which he asks the Government of Georgia to transfer the ex-president to a civil hospital, noting that his father ‘is in danger.'
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Head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Irakli Kobakhidze says that former president Mikheil Saakashvili was putting people’s life at risk while in office and continues to do so when he is imprisoned.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has said that he welcomes Ombudswoman Nino Lomjaria's decision to establish a group of medical experts to monitor the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili's health. Lomjaria announced yesterday that she invited a group of medical experts to 'monitor the adequacy and timeliness' of medical services provided to Saakashvili.
The State Inspector's Service of Georgia has launched an investigation into alleged 'inhumane treatment' of former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili who is currently in prison. In the course of the investigation, the Inspector's Service has questioned the Rustavi prison employee, who said that he was invited for questioning 'by mistake.'