Four UNM MPs on hunger strike, demanding ex-pres. Saakashvili’s treatment abroad

Four MPs of the United National Movement opposition party – the largest opposition group in the country in office between 2004-2012 – have gone on hunger strike, demanding the transportation of convicted former president Mikheil Saakashvili for treatment abroad. 

Davit Kirkitadze, Ana Tsitlidze and Abdul Ismailov went on hunger strike on Thursday, while Temur Janashia joined them on Friday. 

The move comes on the heels of recent release of footage over Saakashvili’s condition in the Vivamedi civilian clinic earlier this week and the European Parliament resolution, which has called on the release of the former official on medical grounds. 

A trial hearing that was scheduled on Wednesday on whether to grant Saakashvili’s release on medical grounds or postpone the rest of his sentence, has been postponed to December 22, with the former president’s lawyers accusing the Government of delaying the process. 

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