“For Life” - Rally in Support of Saakashvili Held Near the Presidential Palace
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Supporters of imprisoned ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili as well as civic activists and politicians gathered near Orbeliani Palace in the capital to voice their demand of his transfer to a multi-profile clinic due to his health condition. They hold the government responsible for Mikheil Saakashvili's health condition.
The United National Movement party and family of the imprisoned ex-President have requested Saakashvili be allowed to leave for treatment abroad.
“We do not demand neither release, nor return to power. We demand that person is given medical treatment in order to survive, ” ex-president’s brother, Davit Saakashvili said. He also informed of upcoming rally on 5th of May, which will be organized by the family.
Mikheil Saakashvili, himself addressed the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, Davit Sergeenko, and the Chairman of the Health Committee, Dimitri Khundadze on 4th of May.
“I appeal to Davit Sergeenko, Dimitri Khundadze and all other MPs from any party who have taken the Hippocratic oath. Visit me, not as a politician, but as a patient, and make a conclusion as a patient… I hope for your humane approach, professional integrity and your professional commitment to the Hippocratic oath!” read the letter published on his Facebook page.
On Wednesday, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria announced of her readiness to discuss the matter of the health condition of the imprisoned former President ‘competent medical representatives’ of the Justice Ministry and Penitentiary Service, and called on the state institutions to avoid ‘delaying’ a review of the matter.
According to the Council of Doctors created by the Public Defender, Saakashvili's health condition has ‘significantly deteriorated’. The members of the council visited the third president in prison on April 22, after a break of almost 4 months.
A report published on April 27 states that Saakashvili's body consumes proteins released as a result of the breakdown of the organs.
Saakashvili, a citizen of Ukraine, who was sentenced to 6 years in prison in two cases, clandestinely returned to Georgia at the end of September 2021. He was arrested on October 1, the day before the local elections.
On the day of his arrest, he went on a hunger strike. Due to the aggravation of the situation, on the 50th day of the hunger strike, he agreed to stop the protest if he was taken to Gori Military Hospital for treatment. His lawyers say the treatment has failed and it is necessary to take Saakashvili abroad.
