Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Chair: opposition demand for imprisoned former President Saakashvili to be transferred abroad for medical treatment “unfounded”

Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said the demand from a part of the political opposition for allowing the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili a transfer for medical treatment abroad was “unfounded,” adding the goal of the request was to allow the politician “to evade justice”.

Sarjveladze stressed Saakashvili's health condition needed to be studied and relevant treatment prescribed, but added the treatment he was receiving in Georgia was “relevant”.

Saakashvili is trying to hinder the provision of the treatment recommended for him. Despite being transferred to Vivamedi clinic [in Tbilisi from detention], when the request of transferring him abroad still remains, it clearly proves that their goal is not to avoid any threat to his health, but to evade justice. The request for bail is legally incorrect,” the Parliament official said.

On Thursday, Saakashvili was 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 Ministry has also expressed “full confidence” in “medical institutions licensed in Georgia and their medical staff,” in response to the demands of Saakashvili’s supporters of his transfer for treatment abroad.

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, is serving a sentence for abuse of power stemming back to his time as President. He was detained after his clandestine return to Georgia in October last year, prior to the 2021 municipal elections.