Health professionals warn of “irreversible changes” in ex-Pres. Saakashvili’s body in case of continued weight loss

Health professionals in the medical council of the Georgian public defender’s office on Tuesday warned of “irreversible changes” in the body of the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili if his weight decreased to “critical” 52-53 kg from current 63 kg. 

 

In their report, the council said the former official suffered from sarcopenia – a progressive loss of muscle mass, a “significant drop” in blood pressure that was accompanied by loss of balance and coordination, a “serious decrease” in mental functions and depression. 

 

The doctors also pointed to the patient’s entering the phase of “active catabolism”, with his body breaking down fat and muscles due to the lack of  required amount of food and nutrients. 

 

The report said if Saaakshvili’s weight continued to decrease to the critical level, he would be unable to move. 

 

The Tbilisi City Court and the Court of Appeals both denied Saakashvili’s release on health grounds earlier this year, with the current authorities claiming the former official had been engaged in “self-harm” through rejecting the required intake of calories to facilitate his “illegal release” from prison. 

 

Saakashvili was arrested in Tbilisi in October 2021 and is now serving his six-year-term for abuse of power while in office.