GD head on Saakashvili: simulations won’t work

Head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Irakli Kobakhidze says that the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili,who is serving his six-year term in Rustavi Prison No.12, is engaged with “simulations, speculations and is provoking damage to his health,” to be released.

 

Kobakhidze said that “it will not work,” and Saakashvili will have to obey rules, noting that the penitentiary service is not responsible when an inmate damages himself.

 

“The penitentiary service is responsible for ensuring services which are being done for Saakashvili,” Kobakhidze suggested.

 

The Georgian Justice Ministry offered Saakashvili a transfer to Tbilisi Vivamedi Clinic on Tuesday to receive necessary medical treatment as the latter claimed his health deteriorated too much since his arrest in Tbilisi on October 1, 2021.

 

Saakashvili accepted the offer,but demanded that family members, personal doctor Nika Kipshidze and members of the alternative Commission from the Center Empathy have permanent access to him.

 

He demanded uninterrupted access to lawyers and members of parliament, as well as others who have the legal right to see him.

 

Saakashvili also demanded that the treatment and evaluation of his condition be made with the involvement of the Center Empathy and the medical council under the Georgian Public Defender.

 

The Justice Ministry responded and urged Saakashvili to use the offer without raising conditions.