Justice ministry “doing everything” for “absolute protection” of ex-pres. Saakashvili’s health in detention - PM

The Georgian justice ministry is “doing everything” to ensure that the health of the  imprisoned former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili is “absolutely protected” alongside that of other inmates, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Sunday.

• Reports on ex-pres Saakashvili’s “critical” condition “not true”, says clinic doctor

Garibashvili was answering a question from the press on whether authorities would allow Saakashvili to be transferred to another country for treatment if doctors confirmed he was suffering from a “life-threatening” condition after check-ups.

The PM noted the ministry would “protect every prisoner's rights without any privileges”.

On Thursday, Zurab Chkhaidze, a clinical director at Vivamedi clinic in Tbilisi - where Saakashvili has been undergoing treatment since May - dismissed claims by members of the United National Movement opposition party over the “extremely poor condition” of Saakashvili’s health as “not true”.

• What criminal charges are filed against recently arrested ex-president Saakashvili?

Facing several charges, Saakasvili has been serving a six-year prison term after he was sentenced in absentia in 2018 on two separate charges of abuse of power.