The Public Defender of Georgia echoes the return of Mikheil Saakashvili to Penitentiary Establishment No. 12 and, first of all, reminds the public that on December 27, 2021, an authorized representative of the Public Defender and a member of the Public Defender’s group of experts were not allowed to enter the Gori Military Hospital. The neurologist was not given the opportunity to meet with Mikheil Saakashvili, see his medical records or assess his condition. Evaluating the patient's neurological condition would be particularly important given that it was during this very period that the decision to return the patient to the penitentiary system was made. Unfortunately, Saakashvili was escorted to the penitentiary facility without the involvement of the state council in the decision-making process or the monitoring of the decision by the Public Defender’s group of experts.

On December 30, 2021, after the prisoner returned to Establishment No. 12, the Public Defender’s representatives twice tried to meet with him. They obtained medical records and talked to the facility’s doctor and administration, who noted that no ill-treatment had taken place during the transfer. Mikheil Saakashvili could not be interviewed due to his health condition, however, his lawyers confirmed that he had not been ill-treated on December 30.

The Public Defender believes that the state council should be actively involved in the process of managing Mikheil Saakashvili's health condition and the recommendations issued by the Public Defender’s group of experts should be implemented. At the same time, the Public Defender’s group of experts will continue to monitor the treatment tactics. Due to the busy schedule of some members, it is not possible for the group to assemble in full at this stage. Nevertheless, the group will try to thoroughly study the medical status of the patient and the adequacy of his treatment in the near future.