Special Penitentiary Service: health condition of imprisoned former President Saakashvili “stable”
In its response, the Service called on "politically engaged entities” to "refrain from speculating" on Saakashvili's health condition, "creating a perception that is drastically different from reality," and "misleading the public”.Photo:Penitentiary Service's Facebook Page.
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The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia on Sunday said the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili's health condition in detention was "stable" and he was under 24-hour monitoring of the doctors of its Medical Department.
The state agency also said Saakashvili had undergone laboratory tests and "proper" examination by professionals of "relevant profile". It also said authorities were "taking into account the health and safety risks" of those in detention, adding "if necessary", Saakashvili would be able to undergo "all necessary examinations" and receive treatment outside the penitentiary institution in Georgia.
The penitentiary body was responding to recent statements by the United National Movement opposition party and family members of Saakashvili about a “significant deterioration” of his health in detention, and calls to allow him to undergo medical examinations and treatment abroad.
In its response, the Service called on "politically engaged entities” to "refrain from speculating" on Saakashvili's health condition, "creating a perception that is drastically different from reality," and "misleading the public”.
Saakashvili is serving a sentence for abuse of power stemming back to his time in office between 2004-2013. He was arrested after his clandestine return to Georgia ahead of municipal elections in the country last fall. The former President, now a citizen of Ukraine, had been convicted in absentia on two counts of abuse of power and sentenced to six years in prison.
Saakashvili faces additional charges including illegal seizure of property, embezzlement, illegal rally dispersal and illegal border crossing.
Police arrested 25 supporters of the imprisoned former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili from the United National Movement opposition party for “administrative violations” during a rally in western Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi late on Friday, the Interior Ministry said.
Georgian Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze on Monday said the country’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili was receiving “proper treatment” in prison, with “all necessary conditions” created by authorities both for ensuring adequate diet and visitor access to the politician.
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 Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia has said that the imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili's health is stable and under constant medical surveillance, refuting speculation on Saakashvili's alleged health deterioration. The penitentiary service asserts that Saakashvili does not need intensive care, but the Gldani prison hospital, where he had been transferred a few days ago, is equipped with 'all necessary modern technique.'
The Georgian Justice Ministry has proposed transferring the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili to Vivamedi, a civilian clinic in capital Tbilisi, for medical checks and treatment, Minister Rati Bregadze said after the Government meeting on Tuesday.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was “not in a position to impose political conditions” in return for accepting the Justice Ministry’s offer to transfer him from prison healthcare to a civilian clinic.
Georgia’s imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili has been transferred from the No. 12 Prison in the city of Rustavi to the civilian clinic Vivamedi in capital Tbilisi, following an offer for the transfer from the Justice Ministry, made after demands on the matter from Saakashvili’s medical team and members of a part of political opposition.
The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia on Saturday rejected media reports on the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili being denied family member visits, as well as on Nika Gvaramia, the founder of Mtavari Arkhi channel, being kept in solitary confinement.