Estonian FM calls for ex-pres. Saakashvili’s transfer abroad for treatment

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia on Thursday called on the government of Georgia to transfer the imprisoned third president Mikheil Saakashvili abroad on medical grounds. 

In his tweet following a phone conversation with Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili, Urmas Reinsalu said he had also discussed Russia-Ukraine conflict with the Georgian official.  

 

“I discussed stopping Russia’s war in Ukraine and needed aid to Ukraine during a phone call with Georgian FM Ilia Darchiashvili today. I said that Estonia stands with Georgia on their path to the EU. I also expressed concern over the health of Mikheil Saakashvili and called to give the opportunity for his treatment abroad”, said the Estonian FM. 

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

Currently he is serving his six-year-sentence for abuse of power while in office and claiming he is in “urgent need” of “proper treatment” abroad due to “complicated health”. 

The Georgian government challenges the approach by saying that Saakashvili is trying to “escape justice”.