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.