EU Ambassador to follow situation over ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili

19:38, 09.11.2021

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said he was following the situation over jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili closely, together with local partners and Georgian Public Defender.

He underlined that the ex-president had the right to a fair trial and adequate healthcare.

“From the outset, the EU made it clear that the upholding of his rights and due legal process are key and under the full responsibility of the Georgian authorities. These rights include the right to stand trial in transparent, fair and due judicial proceedings and the right to adequate healthcare as well as privacy and dignity whilst in prison. The government of Georgia should make every effort to fully uphold these rights,” Carl Hartzell said.

Law enforcers arrested Mikheil Saakashvili in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on October 1. He has been on a hunger strike since the very first day of his arrest.

The ex-president is charged with several criminal offences. In 2018, he was sentenced to six years in prison in absentia for abuse of power.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

Politics

Carl Hartzell

Mikheil Saakashvili