31 former diplomats address int’l community to “save” ex-pres. Saakashvili

Thirty-one Georgian former diplomats on Tuesday addressed the international community to make an influence on the Georgian Dream authorities to “save” the currently imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili, “whose condition is alarming”. 

In a letter, the former diplomats called on international organizations and governments to “strictly” react to Saakashvili’s case to ensure his transportation abroad for “proper treatment”. 

Citing foreign doctors that the former president had been a victim of “torture and inhuman” treatement  in custody since his arrest in Tbilisi in October 2021, the diplomats said that recent studies had “confirmed Saakashvili has prison-induced psychological, neurological, orthopedic and gastrointestinal ailments that are steadily worsening his condition”. 

“In addition, a group of doctors found traces of arsenic and heavy metals, including mercury, in President Saakashvili’s body. Therefore, experts strongly recommend that he be transferred immediately to a medical facility in the United States or Western Europe”, said the letter. 

Saakashvili has been receiving treatment in the Vivamedi civilian clinic of Tbilisi since May 12, with the Government claiming he had been ensured with all “necessary medical services”. 

Giorgi Badridze, Davit Bakradze, Gela Bezhuashvili, Konstantine Gabashvili, Mamuka Gamkrelidze, Paata Gafrindashvili, Gigi Gigiadze, Tornike Gordadze, Nikoloz Vashakidze, Grigol Vashadze, Temur Yakobashvili, Sergi Kapanadze, Zurab Kvatchadze, Giorgi Kublashvili, Tariel Lebanidze, Aleksandre Lomaia, Ekaterina Meiring-Mikadze, Grigol Mgaloblishvili, Levan Metreveli, Nino Nakashidze, Aleksi Petriashvili, Mamuka Zghenti, Salome Samadashvili, Davit Sikharulidze, Eka Tkeshelashvili, Batu Kutelia, Shota Ghvineria, Valeri Chechelashvili, Zurab Chiaberashvili, Gia Japaridze and Natia Japaridze have signed the letter.