“This is a continuation of the situation when we had [российско-грузинская] war in 2008. At that time, too, the international community actively supported the country that was moving towards reforms, […] the country in which there was no longer crime, the country where the economic and social situation improved much after Miho came to power, and this is probably the answer to those who do not want their changes in any way, “the politician’s brother replied, referring to Georgia.
He believes that “probably they will not forgive this” to the third president of Georgia.
“Really we see […] death penalty live,” David Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili served as president of Georgia for two consecutive terms from 2004–2013. Shortly after leaving the presidency, he left the country. In Georgia, several criminal cases were opened against him, he is suspected of abuse of power and persecution of political opponents. Saakashvili himself called the criminal cases politically motivated.
On October 1, 2021, Saakashvili announced that he had returned to Georgia. On the same day, the politician was detained and arrested. The Georgian prosecutor’s office opened another criminal case against him on the fact of illegal border crossing.
During his time in custody, Saakashvili went on hunger strike several times. In May 2022, he was transferred to the Vivamed civilian clinic in Tbilisi for examination, where he is still staying. Lawyer Shalva Khachapuridze said that the politician was diagnosed with dementia and tuberculosis, there are suspicions of dozens of other diseases.
On December 1, the results of a forensic medical examination of Saakashvili’s state of health were made public – they indicate that the politician needs treatment in a multidisciplinary clinic in the EU or the USA. Traces of bismuth, barium and mercury were found in Saakashvili’s hair samples. Also, the examination showed arsenic poisoning and dependence on drugs.
Ukrainian authorities, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have repeatedly urged Georgia to allow Saakashvili to receive medical treatment abroad. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, for example, offered to transfer the ex-president of Georgia to Ukraine. The European Parliament also called for Saakashvili’s release. Poland offered to accept him for treatment.
