Head of prison where Saakashvili held tests positive for COVID-19
The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia has reported that Saakashvili’s condition is stable and key vital signs are within the norm, emphasising that he ‘is under constant surveillance by medical personnel.’ Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The head of Gldani No. 18 prison, where the ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili was transferred on November 8, has tested positive for coronavirus – though Saakashvili himself seems unaffected after recent contact with the prison director.
Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze reported earlier today that Saakashvili has not been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Saakashvili’s personal physician Nika Kipshidze stated earlier today that he was denied access to the former president in prison, noting that he was able to see Saakashvili yesterday for just five minutes.
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
The former president, who has been on hunger strike for 46 days, said several days ago that he is ready to stop his hunger strike if he is brought to a multipurpose civil hospital that will provide medical care after the hunger strike.
The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia has reported that Saakashvili’s health is stable and key vital signs are within the norm, emphasising that he ‘is under constant surveillance by medical personnel.’
Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia said earlier today that at this stage, there is no need for the council to review the case of Saakashvili.
Gabunia said that Gldani prison has a multi-purpose clinic, and that there are all the necessary conditions to manage the patient’s health both during the hunger strike and after.
However, Head of Georgia's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze stated that he would like the medical council to prepare a conclusion on Saakashvili's health and execute this conclusion.
I am very confident in the medical council that has been created,” Gamkrelidze said.
He called on the ex-president to call off his hunger strike, saying that ‘life-incompatible complications can develop very quickly.’
The former president's son, Eduard Saakashvili, has released a video address in which he asks the Georgian government to transfer his father to a civil hospital, saying that he ‘is in danger.’
Doctors, the opposition and NGOs demand the same.
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has also called on the Georgian government to ‘ensure the full protection of Saakashvili's health,’ adding that the medical council created to monitor the health condition of the ex-president ‘should intensify its work.’
Bregadze also said that Saakashvili is receiving all necessary medical services in the prison hospital, noting that the ministry has invited more doctors who will give daily updates about the ex-president’s health.