Several MEPs have called on the Georgian authorities to release imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds, as part of the amendments drafted in relation to the report on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement by Georgia.
The text of the amendment authored by MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski says that the country’s third president should be released on humanitarian grounds as the health condition of the former top official “is constantly deteriorating” and that he is not still not provided with proper treatment, “which causes fears for his life”.
Another amendment made in the text over Saakashvili calls on the Georgian authorities to allow the former president to undergo treatment abroad, noting that the move would ease political polarization in the country.
The text of the amendment prepared by MEPs Andrius Kubilius and Rasa Juknevičienė also says that the Georgian authorities should release Saakashvili from prison in a bid to allow him receive “proper treatment” abroad.
The text of the amendment prepared by MEPs Anna Fotyga, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and Assita Kanko asked the leaders of the European Union and the current and future chairmanship countries in the bloc to “put pressure” on current Georgian government “to fully protect the rights and dignity of Saakashvili”.
“The Government of Georgia is fully responsible for Saakashvili’s health and well-being”, said the amendment and called on the country’s president to use her constitutional right to pardon Saakashvili.
Today, the Foreign Committee of the European Parliament is scheduled to discuss a report related to the implementation of the EU Association Agreement by Georgia, in connection with which several MEPs have prepared amendments.
Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi last October, after eight years in self-imposed political exile.
The Georgian Dread ruling party MPs have stated that the MEPs “are hired lobbyists” of Saakashvili’s United National Movement opposition party, which they call a “radical wing” of the opposition.
