Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze has stated that once there is a recommendation from doctors, Mikheil Saakashvili [Georgia’s jailed ex-President] will be transferred to a penitentiary institution.

“I have said before, and I will repeat now, once there is a recommendation from physicians, Saakashvili will be transferred to a penitentiary institution. Saakashvili is a convicted prisoner serving his sentence in a penitentiary institution. Due to his health condition, like many other prisoners, Saakashvili is currently in a medical institution,” the Minister said.

Bregadze emphasized that the government is responsible for prisoners’ health.

“Regrettably, Saakashvili has not followed doctors’ recommendations and engaged in self-harming behaviours, such as starvation episodes, disregarding medical advice, and selectively taking medications and food. You know, his family members bring him food. The medical staff gave specific recommendations that were not followed. Ultimately, responsibility for his own health lies directly with him. The state has made every effort to create suitable conditions for his treatment. If he chooses not to receive treatment, it is his personal decision,” Bregadze stated.

The Minister urged Saakashvili to follow doctors’ recommendations. He added that “the assessment of his health should be conducted by doctors through examinations, rather than basing judgments on images seen on television. If anyone cares about Saakashvili’s health, it is us.”