Ex-president transferred to prison in full compliance with law, Penitentiary Service says
Ex-president transferred to prison in full compliance with law, Penitentiary Service says

The Special Penitentiary Service said in a statement that ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili was transferred from the Gori Military Hospital to the N12 Rustavi Prison in full compliance with the law.

“Due to high public interest, we clarify that on December 30, convict Mikheil Saakashvili was transferred from the LEPL Giorgi Abramishvili Military Hospital of the Defense Ministry to the N12 Rustavi Penitentiary Facility in full compliance with the law,” the Penitentiary Service said in a statement.

Opposition MP Salome Samadashvili said the ex-president’s moving back to the prison should have happened based on the conclusion of independent medical experts. Samadashvili said Mikheil Saakashvili’s rights got grossly violated, and this was violence against the prisoner.

“I urge the government to allow independent experts to meet Mikheil Saakashvili immediately to assess his health state,” the MP said, adding that the ex-president’s health aggravation would lead to heavy political consequences.

Vice-Speaker Gia Volski, on his part, said prisoner Saakashvili recovered and could not remain in hospital after the treatment.

Ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili was transferred from the Gori Military Hospital to the N12 Rustavi Prison on December 30. Ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili has been undergoing a post hunger strike recovery at the Gori Military Hospital since November 19. He was arrested on October 1 and jailed at the N12 Rustavi Prison.