Special Penitentiary Service: imprisoned former President Saakashvili provided with adequate diet, medical care, rights in prison

The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia on Friday said the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was provided with three meals per day, had a variety of diet fully available for him, and received regular parcels in detention.

Responding to recent statements on rights and imprisonment conditions of the politician by his supporters, the agency said any claim on Saakashvili not receiving adequate treatment was a “lie and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public”. 

The Medical Department of the Special Penitentiary Service constantly monitors Mikheil Saakashvili's health condition and, if necessary, takes measures provided by the relevant protocols. He has been examined several times since his imprisonment and given appropriate treatment” the statement said.

The state agency also said Saakashvili enjoyed the right of outdoor recreation on a daily basis, which “he refuses to use at his own discretion”, which, the Service said, was also the case for some of the recommended medicines.

The Penitentiary Service fully provides Mikheil Saakashvili with medicines appropriate to his health condition. However, he, despite the recommendation of the medical staff, by his own decision, does not take some of the drugs prescribed for him,” the statement noted.

The convict is provided with three meals per day. Additionally, he has the opportunity to purchase any food product from the extensive list available in the penitentiary store. In addition, he regularly receives parcels. Consequently, a variety of diet is fully available to the convict,” the Service also asserted.

Saakashvili’s “all other rights” are also “fully protected” in prison, the statement said, adding “appeals” about possible violations of his rights were “an attempt to drastically distort the existing situation by manipulative methods”.

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.