Ruling party MPs visit opposition leader Khoshtaria on hunger strike

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party MPs Irakli Kobakhidze, Mamuka Mdinaradze, and Shalva Papuashvili have visited opposition Droa party leader Elene Khoshtaria who has been on hunger strike in the parliament building for 15 days, demanding the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer from a prison hospital where he is currently receiving care to a civil clinic.

Kobakhidze said that the majority MPs are ‘concerned’ about Khoshtaria’s health and publicly ask her to call off her hunger strike.

Kobakhidze added that the GD members ‘exchanged information' with Khoshtaria during the visit. However, he did not disclose any specific details.

• Parliament Speaker Kuchava visits opposition leader Khoshtaria on hunger strike

Mdinaradze noted that the majority MPs had a ‘genuine’ conversation with Khoshtaria.

We asked her to stop the hunger strike, but she does not share this opinion, he said.

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.

• Droa leader on hunger strike in solidarity with Saakashvili is against latter returning to power

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.