On November 22, 2021, the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia addressed the Public Defender and requested the involvement of experts invited by the Public Defender in Mikheil Saakashvili’s clinical management process for consultation and alternative opinion.

The Public Defender clarifies that the group of experts created by her continues its activities with its initial mandate and composition. The function of the multi-profile group of experts/specialists is to examine the medical services provided to Mikheil Saakashvili and to submit reports/opinions to the Public Defender.

It should be noted that the management of the prisoner's health does not fall within the mandate of the Public Defender or the experts invited by her. However, the Public Defender will take into account the request of the Minister of Health and will periodically, fully share the reports and recommendations of the group of experts with the Ministry for the so-called second opinion.

The group of experts will pay a visit to the Gori Military Hospital in the near future.

We would like to inform the public that the security measures and conditions of the facility where Mikheil Saakashvili is placed were checked by the Public Defender's representatives on November 20, 2021. The initial inspection revealed certain issues (problems with the walking area and windows, video recording, observation of part of medical manipulations by security guards). In connection with the above, we had instant communication with the relevant authorities. In order to study the legality of the video recording in one episode, the Public Defender's Office has already applied to the State Inspector's Office. With regard to conditions, the Public Defender's representatives were promised by representatives of the Penitentiary Service to respond to the problems identified, the results of which will also be checked within a reasonable time.