According to Mikheil Saakashvili, he was taken to Gldani prison medical facility by deception.
“They pulled me out of the car, hit me in the neck several times, and dragged me on the ground by grabbing my hair, during which I resisted,” reads a letter from Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, which was introduced to the public by his lawyer, Nika Gvaramia.
“I was deceitfully moved here after it was announced to me that I would be taken to a regular clinic in the city. They canceled a meeting with my doctors, an appointment with my mother and my children. When I was taken to a section of criminals, they started a commotion and haven’t stopped. And one of the representatives of the prison, apparently the chief worker, declared to me, “Behold, birdie, you are within our grasp,” and started insulting me.
“I asked for his name, but I was refused. Then, without warning, the staff started to drag me out. Despite my categorical refusal, I was dragged out of the car while under the constant harassment from the criminals, I was dragged to the ground, and was hit several times in the neck. I was dragged by my hair and of course I resisted, just as I did in the ward, where some vague criminal-looking medical staff approached me and this time I really bumped the analyzer because they started injecting something into me without my permission. My reaction was caused by the stress after all this violence and abuse.
“All of them acted like real criminals. The shouts and voices of criminals are constantly heard in my cell. I refuse all medical intervention. I do not cooperate with medical staff. I will only meet with my personal doctor. The purpose of my transfer here is unequivocally my physical destruction at the behest of Putin.
“I want to not allow any provocation. I was obliged to put up physical resistance to the violence, but I was alone here. And you are out there, numerous and therefore no one can defeat you. In the conditions of peaceful but very strong protest. Again, do not be fooled by their provocations. With our unity, we must save our country with peace, which has fallen into the hands of bandits and is on the verge of extinction.
“I want to ask the emigrants again, now is the time to give Georgia at least one or a few days and finish the job. I have high hopes for all of you. Do not be afraid of them. We are much more numerous and most importantly, we are right and our country, our families, our homeland, have to be saved.
“P.S. – Address to Nika Melia – I share and fully support, Nika, your refusal to go to Gldani Prison. A provocation was and is being prepared here, aimed at disrupting our peaceful protest,” reads the letter.
Mikheil Saakashvili was taken to Gldani Prison Hospital (18th Medical Institution) on November 8, against his will.
After Saakashvili was taken to Gldani Prison Hospital, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze said that Saakashvili had physically and verbally abused prison staff. Later, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement, according to which Saakashvili also damaged expensive medical equipment.
Public Defender Nino Lomjaria visited Mikheil Saakashvili in Gldani Prison Hospital. After the visit, Lomjaria told reporters that Saakashvili said the Penitentiary Department had lied to him because he had been told he was being taken to a civil clinic but was eventually taken to Gldani Prison Hospital.
The former President of Georgia has been on a hunger strike for 40 days.
The government refused to transfer Saakashvili to a civil hospital, saying that, if necessary, he would be transferred to the 18th medical facility (prison hospital).
However, according to the Public Defender, the situation in the institution still did not fully comply with the conclusions and recommendations issued by the multifunctional group of doctors. Saakashvili himself opposed the transfer to the Gldani clinic.
By Ana Dumbadze
