US senators: incarcerated ex-pres. Saakashvili deserves to be treated 'with dignity'

The senators urged the Georgian government to ensure that Saakashvili's medical needs are met. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Agenda.ge, 20 Nov 2021 - 17:38, Tbilisi,Georgia

US senators Jim Risch, Jeanne Shaheen, Ron Johnson, and Ben Cardin have said that the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili who is currently serving a prison sentence, 'deserves to be treated fairly and with dignity, in accordance with international standards and Georgian law.'

Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after a clandestine return from eight years in political exile. He denied all charges and announced a hunger strike.

The former president was transferred to Gori Military Hospital for treatment last night.

In a joint statement, the senators noted that they cautioned Saakashvili's return to Georgia would aggravate the country's 'polarized political situation.' However, they maintain that the Georgian government should ensure that Saakashvili's medical needs are met.