Georgian rights defenders urge to hospitalize Saakashvili

Fourteen Georgian NGOs have called on the authorities to resolve the issue of the hospitalization of Mikheil (Mikhail) Saakashvili, who has been on a hunger strike for the 26th day in Rustavi Prison. Saakashvili himself has categorically refused to be transferred to the prison hospital located in Gldani.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mikheil (Mikhail) Saakashvili is kept in Rustavi Prison, where he has been on a hunger strike since October 1 demanding his release. On October 23, his supporters held a rally near the prison demanding to release Saakashvili.

"Since his detention, Mikhail Saakashvili is on hunger strike for the 26th day. The risks of health deterioration and the need for hospitalization increase day after day. According to the conclusion of the council of highly qualified doctors convened by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Saakashvili should be placed into a hospital provided with the respective equipment and personnel," says the joint statement of the above NGOs received on October 26 by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Earlier, The NGOs recalled by referring to the conclusion of the country's Ombudsperson that that Institution No. 18 in the city Gldani – the Prison Hospital – lacks the proper-level medical equipment and a necessary multifunctional group of doctors. The 14 NGOs-signatories to the statement have called on the authorities to send Saakashvili to a hospital that has a multifunctional group of doctors, and to completely eliminate all possible risks to his life, health and safety.

Mikhail Saakashvili himself has categorically refused to be transferred to the Gldani Prison Hospital. His decision was read out on October 26 by one of his advocates, Nika Gvaramiya, on air of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company after he met his client, the third president of Georgia.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 26, 2021 at 08:16 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.