The opposition United National Movement (UNM) party has held a car rally protest earlier today demanding imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer from a prison hospital where he is currently receiving care to a civil clinic.
Motorcade processions were held on Republic Square, in front of the UNM’s central office and the Central Election Commission building.
#Georgia #Tbilisi #HappeningRightNow: Protest rally in on Rose Square in central Tbilisi demanding transfer of #Saakashvili to civil hospital. Find more on https://t.co/WSz0SM6fup website pic.twitter.com/7pC2tEYjin
— Agenda Georgia (@AgendaGeorgia) November 16, 2021
UNM members and supporters maintain that the rallies will be held on a daily basis until Saakashvili’s transfer to a civil clinic.
Motorcade procession on Republic Square. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Our rallies will continue on a regular basis, they will aggravate… We understand that every hour, every minute is crucial for president Saakashvili’s health and life, said UNM member Levan Khabeishvili.
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.