Garibashvili to Zelensky: Saakashvili’s rights protected, Ukrainian citizens mustn’t intervene in Georgian issues

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the recent phone conversation that the rights of arrested former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is now a citizen of Ukraine,is fully protected in Georgia, ‘like the rights of all inmates in the country.’ 

 

Garibashvili also stated that Saakashvili is receiving medical care round the clock, no one is barred to see him in prison, and that the goal of the former president is to cause unrest in the country. 

 

Garibashvili stated that during his recent transfer to Gldani prison hopostal on Monday, Saakashvili insulted the prison and medical personnel. 

 

“Lawyers, family members and MPs have been visiting him since admission to the penitentiary institution. He has received over 100 visitors in total,” Garibashvili said. 

 

“Citizens of Ukraine have no legitimate right to intervene in the domestic affairs of Georgia. Fugitive Saakashvili entered Georgia illegally when he was already convicted and charged for various grave crimes,” Garibashvili told Zelensky. 

 

He stated that Saakashvili remains under the supervision of qualified Georgian doctors and there is no need for the involvement of Ukrainian medical personnel. 

 

Zelensky tweeted earlier today that “in a phone conversation with Garibashhvili I stressed that the rights of Ukrainian citizen Saakashvili must be fully guaranteed in accordance with international norms. Applied for admission of Mikheil Saakashvili’s mother, relatives, and Ukrainian doctors to him.’