Special Penitentiary Service: speculation on poisoning or intoxication of imprisoned former President Saakashvili “targeted and defamatory”
The Service “is responsible for the safety” of each imprisoned person, the state body said, noting speculation with the claims “demoralises the staff of the Service, discredits their professional activities and tarnishes the image of the agency in the society”.Photo:Special Penitentiary Service Facebook Page.
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The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia on Wednesday rejected media reports on the possible poisoning or intoxication of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili in detention as “targeted" and "defamatory”.
The Service “is responsible for the safety” of each imprisoned person, the state body said, noting speculation with the claims “demoralises the staff of the Service, discredits their professional activities and tarnishes the image of the agency in the society”.
The statement also responded to claims by members of the United National Movement opposition party that Saakashvili was deprived of the right to receive parcels in prison, noting only a single failed delivery had taken place so far.
The penitentiary body also noted Saakashvili was able to buy "all food products" not on the prohibited list from a store located on the territory of his prison, in addition to the mandated three daily meals served to him.
Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1 after his clandestine return to Georgia. He had been found guilty of abuse of power in two cases in absentia in 2018 and faces additional charges including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal and illegal border crossing.
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Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria on Wednesday said she was ready to discuss the matter of the health condition of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili with “competent medical representatives” of the Justice Ministry and Penitentiary Service, and called on the state institutions to avoid “delaying” a review of the matter.
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