Ukrainian public advocate Denisova informs int’l community on ‘violation’ of Saakashvili’s rights

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmyla Denisova says that she has informed nine international organisations and 78 diplomatic missions in Ukraine on ‘violation’ of rights of former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili in prison. 

She said that Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ann Linde, and European Council official Dunia Miatovich have also been informed on Saakashvili’s conditions, who has been on hunger strike in a Georgian prison for 48 days. 

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

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

Denisova was not allowed yesterday to see Saakashvili in Gldani Prison No.18 hospital, where he was transferred last week to prevent complications in his health. 

Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said  that Georgia has ‘neither obliged, nor there is the necessity’  to allow Denisova see Saakashvili in a prison hospital. 

Denisova met Saakashvili’s mother Giuli Alasania while in Georgia.

Saakashvili was convicted in absentia in Georgia for abuse of power and was sentenced to six years in prison. 

He is serving the sentence now. However, he has also been charged with five other offences.