Calls to transfer Saakashvili abroad are increasing
Former president of Georgia Michael Saakashvili on the morning of December 22, he joined the Tbilisi court from his hospital bed via video link. He lost a lot of weight and sick Saakashvili’s head was resting on a pillow. Court The meeting was held to discuss the termination of the sentence of the former president due to his illness.
Saakashvili six years with the article of abuse of power imprisonment was sentenced and is currently in prison. Supporters of this ruling political they say it is motivated.
This month, the country’s Penitentiary Service did not allow Saakashvili to join the court via video link from the hospital. The reason was the lack of appropriate technical equipment.
International support for the 54-year-old former president has been growing in recent weeks. He is currently military is being treated in the hospital.
“Kindness is important, especially on Christmas Eve. What happened to Mikhail is brutal. This does not suit Georgia. This must be stopped.” – who joined the international appeal requesting Saakashvili to receive treatment abroad Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 19 video he said in his speech.
“Please make a decision that will save his life. Mikheil Saakashvili in Ukraine, another Europe transfer to a hospital in America,” – Zelensky said.
20He was the president of the country in 04-2013 Saakashvili In October 2021 after illegally entering Georgia imprisonment was done. He to his own arrest protest repeatedly hunger held actions and his health deteriorated very seriously.
Court since 2015 during his hearing Ukraine Saakashvili, who is a citizen, entered into a conflict with the judge. Judge demanded that he stop speaking in Ukrainian and address the court in Georgian. Besides, judge Saakashvili’s lawyer, Shalva Khachapuridze, said that he would interrupt the live broadcast if Saakashvili lifted his shirt to show his injuries.
President of Moldova Maya Sanduthe EU in Georgia ambassador Pavel Herchinsky and USAin Georgia ambassador Kelly Degnan is also among those expressing concern about the health and protection of Saakashvili’s rights.
On December 14, a video of Saakashvili taken in the hospital room was released. In the video, Saakashvili, who looks very weak, walks with the help of a mobility device.
The “Georgian Dream” government accuses Saakashvili of exaggerating his illness.
“…Video it is clear in the material that Mikheil Saakashvili simulated his actions in order to prevent the implementation of justice, confuse the society and international partners”, – the statement of the Penitentiary Service says.
Ombudsman His office issued a statement expressing concern over Saakashvili’s deteriorating health. The statement referred to the results of the monitoring conducted by a group of experts on his treatment on December 6.
“According to the evaluation of the group, compared to the previous period, his encephalopathy, sensorimotor neuropathy, anemia have worsened and newly discovered autonomic neuropathy has also been added. In addition, when he stood up, his blood pressure began to drop significantly.
Anorexia has turned into life-threatening cachexia. This was predicted many times by a panel of experts. At the time of evaluation, the patient was in an active catabolism (self-digestion) phase, which manifests itself in very rapid weight loss.” – the statement says.
Saakashvili’s defense team in early December USA toxicological prepared based on the results of doctors report spread The report highlights the possibility that the former president was “poisoned” by heavy metals. An American toxicologist cited in the report said that mercury and arsenic (arsenic) were found in the samples taken from Saakashvili’s body.
The government’s purpose in releasing the aforementioned hospital video was to show the former president’s “aggressive behavior” toward hospital staff. In the edited footage, Saakashvili is seen to be tense and dissatisfied with the workers.
However, the Penitentiary Service’s attempts to incite hatred against Saakashvili may have had the opposite effect. The government’s refusal to allow the former president to receive treatment abroad is increasingly angering the public. Georgian social calls for his transfer abroad prevail in the media.