It is the responsibility of the Georgian government to treat imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili in a fair and dignified manner, Ned Price, the United States Department of State spokesperson said on Tuesday.

He stressed the current Georgian Dream authorities were obliged to ensure “all necessary medical and psychological treatment” for the third president, as it had been recommended by the health professionals invited by the country’s public advocate. 

“Of course, they [the government] need to ensure his [Saakashvili’s] rights are protected and that he receives all the care he needs," Price said.

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, ahead of domestic municipal elections. 

The former official and his entourage are pointing to alleged poisoning and “severely deteriorated” health and demanding Saakashvili’s transportation abroad for “proper treatment”. 

A trial hearing that has been postponed twice since December 9 on granting Saakashvili’s release on medical grounds or the postponement of the rest of his six-year sentence for abuse of power while in office, is scheduled on Thursday in Tbilisi city court.