Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili is in a “critical condition” as he continues hunger strike for more than a month and a half.
Saakashvili, who has been imprisoned since October 1, may soon face potentially fatal health complications, rights sources said.
“As the patient’s condition is critical, we immediately recommend to continue his treatment in a functional and well-experienced … hospital, in particular in the intensive care unit,” the Public Defender of Georgia said.
Saakashvili is in jail since October 1 shortly after he returned from exile in Ukraine.
Prior to his arrest, he had posted on Facebook a video message calling on supporters to take to the streets against the government.
Saakashvili announced his return from Ukraine to the country he left in 2013 via Facebook, saying “I risked my life and freedom to return!”.
Thus, the government had warned him that they will arrest him immediately for “abuse of power”.
However, critics have accused it of using criminal prosecutions to punish political opponents and journalists.
But, Interpol turned down requests from Tbilisi to issue a red notice against Saakashvili.
In 2018, he received a six-years prison sentence for contempt of court. Saakashvili argues the case against him is political.
