Justice Minister: updates on Saakashvili’s health will be made on a daily basis
Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze says that all conditions are ensured for former president Mikheil Saakashvili in prison. Photo: Justice Ministry press office.
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Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze says that former president Mikheil Saakashvili is receiving all necessary medical services in Gldani Prison No.18 hospital, and that the ministry has invited more doctors to monitor Saakashvili while he is on hunger strike and who will give daily updates about the former president’s health condition.
Bregadze stated earlier today that since his arrest in Tbilisi on October 1, Saakashvili has had access to all types of medical services he required, both in Rustavi Prison No.12 and then in Gldani hospital, where he was transferred last week, on the 39th day of his hunger strike ‘to prevent complications in his health.’
The Gldani prison hospital has all infrastructural resources to ensure proper medical care for Saakashvili while on hunger strike and also in the post-hunger-strike period. We have also invited an additional group of doctors to monitor Saakashvili’s health condition on a daily basis and make comments for journalists to prevent the spread of fake information,” Bregadze said.
After Mikheil Saakashvili entered the №18 facility, he physically and verbally abused the staff of the penitentiary and damaged expensive medical equipment.
— Justice Ministry GEO (@Justice_geo) November 8, 2021
The Ministry of Justice has already followed the relevant legal response.
More information: https://t.co/19c9c2lcJ1 pic.twitter.com/18SRDwHAyc
He stated that Saakashvili has had more than 200 visitors since his arrest and all individuals who have the right to see the president have used the right.
Gldani No.18 prison is also a hospital and we refrain from allowing the individuals to enter the facility who are not eligible in accordance with the Georgian legislation,” Bregadze said.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmyla Denisova had plans to visit Saakashvili in Gldani hospital today.
However,she says that she was not allowed to see the former president, who is a citizen of Ukraine and currently chairs the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
Denisova says that the Justice Ministry will inform her officially about the reasons for the refusal.
Previously Denisova visited Saakashvili in Rustavi Prison No.12 at the end of October.
Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) opposition party is holding rallies in Tbilisi on a daily basis, demanding Saakashvili’s transfer to a civil hospital.
Ten opposition MPs, Droa leader Elene Khoshtraria and five UNM members in Zugdidi City Assembly are also on hunger strike, demanding the same.
Saakashvili stated last week that he is ready to stop the hunger strike if he is taken to a civil hospital.
Day 46 of a hunger strike. Mikheil Saakashvili’s health condition is critical and he is not being transferred to the civic hospital. West needs to act. #FreeSaakashvili
— Mikheil Saakashvili (@SaakashviliM) November 15, 2021
His son Eduard Saakashvili requested the government in his video yesterday to ensure the transfer of his father to a civil clinic.
Georgian officials say that all conditions are ensured for Saakashvili’s well-being in a prison hospital, stating that Saakashvili and his UNM party have plans to cause unrest if the former president is brought to a civil clinic.
Saakashvili was convicted in Georgia in absentia in 2018 for abuse of power and was sentenced to six years in prison.
He has also been charged with five other offenses.
He says he returned to Georgia after eight years in political exile to remove the Georgian Dream from power.