Ex-Pres Saakashvili, his entourage “must understand” he will “have to serve his sentence” - Parliament Speaker
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday said if the President pardoned Mikheil Saakashvili, the move would “spark radicalism in the public and [create] a perception of injustice”. Photo: Körber-Stiftung IP
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Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday said the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili and his entourage “must come to terms with the reality” that the former official will “have to serve his sentence”, in comments on the ongoing controversies related to the former official’s health.
Speaking with PalitraNews, the official claimed the “continuous efforts” of Saakashvili’s “domestic and foreign allies” served the goal to “deliberately complicate” his health to ensure the “illegal release” of the former President from prison on medical grounds.
Pointing to the Government's “consistent moves” to provide “all necessary services” for Saakashvili, Papuashvili said he knew “for sure” the former was refusing to follow doctors’ instructions in the Vivamedi civilian clinic in Tbilisi, where he has been undergoing treatment since May 12.
The goal of Saakashvili and his entourage is to weaken [his health condition] as much as possible, in order to artificially create an excuse for his release”, Papuashvili said, and advised them to “accept the reality” that the former official would have to “fully serve” his six-year sentence for abuse of power while in office.
Saakashvili is now serving his six-year sentence for abuse of power while in office. Photo: IPN.
In contrast with the Government's efforts to ensure his health and well-being, Saakashvili refuses to cooperate with doctors, and his family and lawyers are spreading unfounded and controversial information over his alleged poisoning while in custody. One day they say one thing - that he was poisoned - and the next day they reject the claims”, the official noted.
He also alleged the “deliberate actions” by Saakashvili and his entourage were being made in order to “exert pressure” on court - during the ongoing hearings on whether to grant the former official release or a postponement of the rest of his sentence on medical grounds - as well as President Salome Zourabichvili to “force” the latter to issue a pardon for Saakashvili.
Papuashvili also claimed if Zourabichvili changed her stated position and pardoned Saakashvili, the move would “spark radicalism in the public and [create] a perception of injustice”. He said he hoped the President would “consider the public’s attitude towards Saakashvili and crimes committed” by his United National Movement Government between 2004-2012.
Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, after his clandestine return to Georgia, and is serving a six-year term for two separate abuse of power cases, with three other cases involving his term pending.
His lawyers and family members have claimed the former president is in “urgent need” of treatment abroad, adding local professionals had been “unable” to make “accurate diagnosis and ensure relevant treatment” for months.
Anri Okhanashvili, the Head of the Georgian Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the health and safety of imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was “in the best interests” of the Government.
Giuli Alasania, the mother of the imprisoned former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, on Thursday said his son was not accusing the Georgian government of poisoning him in detention, and believed “traces” originating in a “foreign state” could be related to his medical condition.
Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned former president of Georgia, on Monday dismissed claims by his lawyer Valeri Gelbakhiani over his alleged poisoning while in custody, stating he had “never” told any of his lawyers he had suspected poisoning had triggered his current “complicated health”.
Georgia's imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili is leaving the United National Movement opposition party and Georgian politics as “his agenda has changed” and taking care of own health has become his main task, lawyer Valeri Gelbakhiani announced on Saturday.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said President Salome Zourabichvili would need to consider her voters’ 2018 rejection of the opposition United National Movement party in deciding whether she would pardon the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday suspended the right of MPs to visit the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili in detention without permission.
Levan Ioseliani, a member of the Citizens opposition party and the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said ensuring release of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was a goal of the opposition United National Movement party, while other domestic opposition parties were “not motivated by such goals”.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday told the media it was “disappointing” that the currently imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s “domestic and foreign allies” tried to obstruct the execution of justice and evade his punishment.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said it was doubtful that President Salome Zourabichvili would pardon the currently imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Doctor Shahin Lahan, an American health professional who contributed to a medical report on the imprisoned former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, on Monday told Tbilisi City Court dementia was a “major health issue” for the former official’s condition in detention.
Georgia’s imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili has lost his appeal for release or postponement of the rest of his sentence on health grounds, with Tbilisi City Court on Monday denying the application in the case that has been surrounded by public debate.