Georgian ombudswoman invites group of multiprofile doctors to monitor Saakashvili’s health

Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria has invited a group of multiprofile medical experts to monitor the ‘adequacy and timeliness’ of medical services provided to convicted former president of Georgia  Mikheil Saakashvili. 

The group also aims to assess whether Prison No. 18, where Saakashvili is now, is currently in compliance with standards.

Lomjaria says that the Public Defender’s Office has been monitoring the quality and timeliness of the medical services provided to Saakashvili in the penitentiary system since the day of his arrest. 

Lomjaria says that Saakashvili has been on hunger strike for 47 days, ‘which may pose a critical threat to his health and life.’ 

“At the same time, unfortunately, after the transfer of the prisoner to Establishment No. 18 (nine days ago), the multifunctional council established by the ministry (of Justice) has not been able to enter the facility or participate in the management of the patient’s health condition,” Lomjaria stated. 

Saakashvili says he returned to Georgia after eight years in political exile to remove the Georgian Dream from power. 

Currently he is a citizen of Ukraine, chairing the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.