Updated: Droa Leader transferred to hospital for rehabilitation after she stopped hunger strike
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Updated at 20:50
Droa opposition party leader Elene Khoshtaria has been transferred to the clinic New Hospitals in Tbilisi for rehabilitation after she stopped her 17-day hunger strike.
Earlier at 17:15
Droa opposition party leader Elene Khoshtaria has decided to stop her 17-day hunger strike today after former president Mikheil Saakashvili was offered transfer to Gori military hospital by the Ministry of Justice.
Saakashvili’s transfer to Gori military hospital is an outcome in the situation, and that is why I decided to stop the hunger strike,” Khoshtaria said.
Rati Bregadze offers prisoner Mikheil Saakashvili to be transferred to Abramishvili Gori Military Hospital. The Minister made a statement at a briefing today:
— Justice Ministry GEO (@Justice_geo) November 19, 2021
"In the interests of human life and health, this is a place where his health and safety will be protected by the state.” pic.twitter.com/yc1NCVTVwM
Khoshtaria, who was on hunger strike in the parliament building of Georgia, was demanding Saakashvili’s transfer to a civil clinic ‘for proper treatment.’
The opposition United National Movement party, which is now holding a rally in central Tbilisi, says that they are waiting for Saakashvili’s decision on the transfer.
????????Relieved to hear that @Helenkhosh stopped hunger strike. I was very worried about #Khoshtaria's health. Now its Mr #Saakashvili's turn to follow the example. @GovernmentGeo should urgently transfer ex-president to the relevant health facility & opposition should remain peaceful
— Viola von Cramon (@ViolavonCramon) November 19, 2021
Saakashvili has been on hunger strike since his arrest in Tbilisi on October 1.
He reportedly fainted in Gldani Prison No.18 hospital yesterday.
Saakashvili being transferred to a military hospital in #Gori - that is fully equipped with necessary medical facilities - fulfills my one and only request. Therefore, I am now ending my 17th day of a hungerstrike.
— Helen Khoshtaria (@Helenkhosh) November 19, 2021
Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has advised Saakashvili to stop his hunger strike following the offer of the Justice Ministry.
In her previous statement, Khoshtaria said that she disliked many of Saakashvili’s decisions while in power. However, she said that the government’s attitude towards Saakashvili’s health was ‘unacceptable’, and that is why she decided to protest.
The government and the ruling party officials say that Saakashvili and the opposition had plans to cause unrest if Saakashvili was brought to a civil clinic.
They also state that if the unrest took place, it might have posed threats to Saakashvili’s life and health.