Saakashvili Detained in Georgia: Ukraine's Reaction, Hunger Strike and Another Case

Former Georgian president is being held in Rustavi prison, 30 km from Tbilisi.

On October 1, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that Mikheil Saakashvili had been detained. Here is what is known at this point. 

Summoning of the Ambassador and Zelensky's Reaction

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is summoning the Georgian ambassador over reports of Saakashvili's detention. The ministry is demanding an explanation of the grounds for the detention. 

Oleg Nikolenko
Foreign Ministry press secretary

We are seeing reports in the media about the detention of Ukrainian citizen Saakashvili in Georgia. The head of the Georgian embassy in Ukraine has been invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive official information on the grounds and circumstances of this detention. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky is concerned by the news and the tone of statements coming from Georgia over Saakashvili's detention. 

Serhii Nykyforov
press secretary of the President of Ukraine

We are closely following reports of the detention of Mikheil Saakashvili, chairman of the Executive Committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council. President Volodymyr Zelensky is concerned by such news and by the tone of statements being made in Georgia about the possible development of the situation. Ukraine is asking the Georgian side for clarification of all the circumstances and reasons for this step regarding a Ukrainian citizen. The Ukrainian embassy in Georgia has not yet received official information about the detention. But our consuls are already working to provide Mikheil Saakashvili with all necessary assistance. 

Statement by Georgia's President and US Reaction

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili commented on Saakashvili's detention and said she would never pardon him. 

Salome Zourabichvili
President of Georgia

First of all, I want to thank law enforcement agencies for their high professionalism. The state and its institutions have not collapsed; on the contrary, they have grown stronger. The border, territory, order and law are under protection. It cannot be pleasant for the president of the country when a former president of the country is arrested in front of cameras, but this is required by the law and the rule of law, since everyone is equal before the law. Today many are asking whether the president plans to pardon him. The answer is one, it is simple and final. No, and never. 

According to her, Saakashvili's regime in Georgia was one that “trampled human rights, free business and the law.” 

The US State Department is aware of the detention of Georgia's former president and is closely monitoring the situation. According to the State Department spokesperson, the US is calling on Georgian authorities to “ensure fair treatment of Mr. Saakashvili, in accordance with Georgian law and Georgia's international human rights obligations.” 

Hunger Strike and Another Case

Another case has been opened against Mikheil Saakashvili over an illegal border crossing, and he has announced a hunger strike. 

Georgia's prosecutor's office said: “We report that the Interior Ministry is investigating the illegal crossing of the border by Mikheil Saakashvili, a crime under Article 344 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. All necessary investigative actions in the case are being carried out actively.” 

The article “illegal crossing of the state border” provides for a prison sentence of up to five years. 

Lomjaria noted that Saakashvili has no particular health complaints. He also said that he opened the apartment door for police himself and did not resist arrest. 

Where Detained Saakashvili Is Being Held

Saakashvili, detained in Georgia, is being held in prison in the city of Rustavi, 30 km from Tbilisi. 

Rati Bregadze
Georgian Minister of Justice

At this stage, mandatory procedures are being carried out with respect to Saakashvili, and after they are completed he will be placed in an appropriate cell. The mandatory procedures include various measures, including a medical examination, after which we will have more information. 

The former president of Georgia is being held at Penitentiary Institution No. 12 in Rustavi, where he was transferred for security reasons.

Bregadze said: “Based on a number of issues, including security, a decision was made to transfer Saakashvili to Penitentiary Institution No. 12. There, absolutely all conditions that meet international standards are provided.”