Saakashvili's condition: ambulance called, hunger strike over 40 days

Georgia's penitentiary service denies deterioration.

On November 13, reports emerged that the health of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had significantly deteriorated in the prison hospital and an ambulance had been called for him. Georgia's penitentiary service denies this. Here are the latest news on the politician's health. 

Ambulance

On November 13, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada deputy Yelyzaveta Yasko, who calls herself Saakashvili's common-law wife, said that the health of the former Georgian president, who is in the prison hospital, had significantly deteriorated. 

Yelyzaveta Yasko
Verkhovna Rada deputy, Ukraine

Saakashvili's condition has just seriously worsened. He could not get up from the bed. Now he must be evacuated to intensive care! There is no medical equipment in the terrible prison. An ambulance has been sent to the prison. 

She noted that she does not understand where they intend to take him. According to Yasko, Saakashvili's doctor, Nikoloz Kipshidze, is inside the prison and "so far there is no information at all". 

The former Georgian president's personal doctor said: "He could not get up from the bed, he has very great weakness, and he is lying down. It is somewhat difficult for him to speak." 

As a result of a month-long protest hunger strike in Rustavi prison, Mikheil Saakashvili has lost more than 20 kg and is feeling unwell. On October 20, a medical council recommended hospitalizing the politician for preventive purposes.

Ukrainian ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova called the actions of the Georgian authorities against Saakashvili torture. 

What Georgian officials say

The Special Penitentiary Service said that reports that Saakashvili's health deteriorated to the point of needing to call an ambulance crew to correctional facility No. 18 are untrue. 

The statement suggests that it is the reports about an ambulance that are likely untrue, while officials describe the politician's condition as "stable". However, they acknowledge that Saakashvili is being held in a room next to the intensive care unit, although they state this is done "for prevention". 

"We clarify that Mikheil Saakashvili's state of health is stable and he is under constant observation by medical staff. However, Mikheil Saakashvili does not need any resuscitation measures. For prevention, he is in a room next to the intensive care unit. The facility's intensive care unit is equipped with all necessary modern equipment, as well as all necessary medications. If necessary, appropriate medical care will be provided to Mikheil Saakashvili immediately, without any evacuation," the statement said. 

Hunger strike

On November 11, the television channel Rustavi 2, citing Saakashvili's lawyer Nika Gvaramia, reported that Mikheil Saakashvili had ended the hunger strike he had held since early October. 

At the same time, the lawyer said that Saakashvili refuses to end the hunger strike under the supervision of doctors linked to the penitentiary service and demands the opportunity to consult "trustworthy" medical professionals. 

According to the politician, he decided to end the hunger strike after a corresponding appeal from the European Court of Human Rights. He noted that his hunger strike "has already become a weapon". 

Meanwhile, on November 12, Yelyzaveta Yasko reported after meeting Saakashvili that he continues the hunger strike. 

Yelyzaveta Yasko
Verkhovna Rada deputy, Ukraine

Today is the 43rd day of the hunger strike, and he has not ended it. Yesterday he said he was ready to end it on condition that he be moved to normal conditions with medical equipment. This has not happened. 

Mikheil Saakashvili began the hunger strike after he was detained in Georgia on October 1, having returned there after eight years in emigration. On the 39th day of the hunger strike he was transferred to the prison hospital, but the politician refused to accept medical care. 

On November 10, a trial against Saakashvili began in Tbilisi, to which he was not brought for security reasons. After this, the former Georgian president's lawyer refused to take part in the proceedings, and the hearing had to be postponed.