n Georgia to address the situation. In a tweet, McFaul said, “Saakashvili should be released immediately for medical treatment. The Biden administration should make this a priority with the Georgian government.”
The European Parliament has also expressed concern over Saakashvili’s health and called for his release. In a resolution passed in February, they stated that his deteriorating health and the failure to improve his situation would harm Georgia’s reputation and its prospects for European Union candidacy.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has responded to Zelensky’s demands by urging caution and emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could benefit Russia. She stated that Saakashvili’s issue should be handled with respect for his rights but should not be used to fuel a campaign that could be exploited by Russia.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether Saakashvili will be transferred to Ukraine for medical care. The international community continues to monitor the case closely, with calls for his release and concerns over his deteriorating health.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded that the former pro-West president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, be sent to Ukraine for urgent medical care. Saakashvili is currently in jail in Georgia on abuse of office charges, which he denies. Zelensky claimed, without evidence, that Moscow, through the government of Georgia, was “killing” Saakashvili after a video emerged of him looking emaciated. Moscow has not commented on the recent allegations but has previously dismissed any involvement with Saakashvili as “the theater of the absurd.”
Saakashvili, in an op-ed in Politico in April, stated that he is now “dying” and has been “systematically tortured, physically and psychologically.” He also mentioned evidence of heavy metal poisoning in his body. Zelensky, who has long sought the transfer of Saakashvili, a Ukrainian citizen, is now escalating his accusations. However, Tbilisi has stated that Saakashvili is receiving medical care and is not a political prisoner.
The relationship between Georgia and Ukraine has been complicated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has close ties with Moscow and has refused to impose economic sanctions on Russia, the people of Georgia have protested in solidarity with Ukraine and against growing authoritarianism in their country.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed regret for the deterioration of diplomatic relations with Ukraine and stated that any issue dividing the two countries should be avoided as it would only benefit Russia. She emphasized the need to handle Saakashvili’s case with respect for his rights but not to use it to fuel a campaign that could be exploited by Russia.
Mikheil Saakashvili, 55, served as Georgia’s president from 2004 to 2013. He gained power through the Rose Revolution, a pro-democratic movement that ousted the president at the time. Saakashvili had aspirations for Georgia to join the European Union and NATO and had a widely reported personal animosity with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a brief war with Russia in 2008.
Saakashvili moved abroad in 2013 and became a Ukrainian citizen in 2015. He briefly served as the governor of the Odessa region in Ukraine before being stripped of his citizenship in 2017. Zelensky restored his citizenship in 2019 and appointed him to head an advisory board fighting the power of oligarchs in Ukraine.
Saakashvili was convicted in absentia in 2018 for abuse of power while in office. He denies the charges, which he believes are politically motivated. He was arrested in October 2021 after returning to Georgia to support local elections. Human Rights Watch has criticized the trial, stating that it occurred outside of international legal standards.
Saakashvili’s health has deteriorated while in jail, and there have been allegations of heavy metal poisoning. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Georgia’s government of denying him adequate medical care, putting him at grave risk of death. Saakashvili has lost a substantial amount of weight and has gone on hunger strikes while in detention.
Following a court appearance via videoconference, Zelensky called for Saakashvili to be immediately transferred to Kyiv. He blamed the Kremlin for what he termed Saakashvili’s “demonstrative execution” and called on European governments to save him. Zelensky also instructed Ukraine’s foreign minister to summon Georgia’s ambassador to express their protest and give him 48 hours to leave Ukraine.
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has called for Saakashvili’s release on health grounds and for the Biden administration to put more pressure on Tbilisi. The foreign ministries of Georgia and Russia have not responded to requests for comment.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics between Ukraine, Georgia, and Russia, as well as the ongoing tensions and human rights concerns in the region.
What are the international concerns regarding Saakashvili’s imprisonment in Georgia and his deteriorating health
Lliant conflict in 2008. However, his presidency was marred by allegations of corruption and authoritarianism, leading to his removal from office.
Since then, Saakashvili has faced a string of legal troubles and has been living in exile in various countries, including Ukraine. He was stripped of his Georgian citizenship in 2015, but Ukraine granted him citizenship and even appointed him as the governor of the Odessa region. However, his tenure in Ukraine was short-lived, as he resigned in 2016, accusing President Petro Poroshenko of corruption.
Saakashvili’s current imprisonment in Georgia has sparked international concern over his deteriorating health and allegations of mistreatment. The United States, represented by former ambassador Michael McFaul, has called for Saakashvili’s immediate release for medical treatment, urging the Biden administration to prioritize the issue with the Georgian government.
The European Parliament has also voiced its concerns, stating that Saakashvili’s worsening health and the failure to address it appropriately would harm Georgia’s reputation and its aspirations for EU candidacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has long been advocating for Saakashvili’s transfer to Ukraine, has intensified his demands in response to the latest video showing Saakashvili’s emaciated appearance. Zelensky has accused Moscow, without evidence, of “killing” Saakashvili through the Georgian government, further straining diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Georgia.
However, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has urged caution and called for the issue to be handled with respect for Saakashvili’s rights, while not allowing it to be exploited by Russia. She emphasized the need to avoid actions that could benefit Moscow and worsen the already complicated situation in the region.
As the discussions and negotiations continue, it remains uncertain whether Saakashvili will be transferred to Ukraine for medical care. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with growing concerns over Saakashvili’s health and calls for his release. The relationship between Georgia and Ukraine, already strained due to geopolitical factors, faces further challenges amid this political and humanitarian issue.
It is crucial to prioritize the health and well-being of imprisoned individuals, regardless of their nationality or political stance. It is commendable that the Ukrainian President is urging the transfer of the imprisoned Georgian leader for necessary medical care. This proactive approach not only demonstrates compassion but also upholds human rights standards.
It is commendable to see the Ukrainian President advocate for the transfer of the imprisoned Georgian leader for medical care. Prioritizing someone’s health and well-being is important, regardless of the circumstances.