Lawyer addresses court to allow release of ex-pres. Saakashvili

The lawyer of the third president, convicted Mikheil Saakashvili, Shalva Khachapuridze, on Thursday applied to the court to release his client, who is currently serving his six-year-term for abuse of power, due to “complicated health”. 

“The main claim of the lawsuit is exemption from punishment, since his diseases are covered by the relevant order of the Minister of Health, which obliges the state to provide exemption from punishment. However, as an alternative, we have also set a postponement of the sentence. As for the communication with Saakashvili, he is unable to talk”, said the lawyer. 

The Empathy centre ensuring aid to Saakashvili, on Thursday said its conclusion reads more than 20 health issues over Saakashvili, saying that the former top official is in “urgent need” to receive treatment abroad.