US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Thursday said her government was “closely monitoring” the development around the currently imprisoned former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. 

“This is a very important issue, because it concerns the former president of Georgia. We have said many times that it is the responsibility of the government and the state to ensure his medical supervision and protection of his rights”, the diplomat told the Adjara Public Broadcaster. 

She said her office was also following the public defender's assessments over the question. 

“We are concerned, and my government is also concerned about the issue. Including when medical experts say his [Saakashvili’s] condition has worsened and he may not be getting the treatment he needs. We think that it is necessary for the state to protect Saakashvili's rights," said the ambassador. 

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021, after eight years in self-imposed political exile.