We should not allow Mikheil Saakashvili to die by torture, he should be sent abroad immediately - letters from more than 130 former officials

The fourth president of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, issues a statement about the third president, Mikheil Saakashvili. As he writes, more than 130 former high political and administrative officials join the statement.

The text of the letter is based on the assessment of President Mikheil Saakashvili's state of health by the Consilium created by the Public Defender of Georgia, as well as by various experts.

The signatories demand the transfer of the third president abroad.

"The evaluations of both the medical council created by the Public Defender of Georgia and the independent group of American medical experts confirm that the life of President Mikheil Saakashvili will not be preserved in Georgia and the process will end with death by torture.

We are not discussing the issue of President Saakashvili's guilt. We are saying: the death penalty is prohibited by the Constitution, as is torture, inhuman and degrading treatment. The same is stipulated by the international norms recognized by Georgia. Death by torture of President Saakashvili, like any prisoner, is a crime and contradicts the international obligations of Georgia. In addition, since president Saakashvili is under the effective control of the Government, the responsibility for violating his dignity, life and health lies with the state authorities.

President Saakashvili’s death by torture will have extremely harmful internal and external political consequences for Georgia. The fatal outcome will not only deepen the current polarization in the country, but also destroy any chance of overcoming it in the near future. It should be taken into account that the Georgian society has not yet recovered from the trauma of the violent death of the first president.

The questions will deepen in the international community as well: whether Georgians are on the list of nations that respect the principles of the rule of law and are capable of peaceful democratic change of government and coexistence without political persecution.

And finally, a historical process is taking place in Europe today - the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. What will be the historical verdict against us, if the Georgian state, in these historical days, kills Mikheil Saakashvili, Putin's "personal enemy", by torture in prison?

According to the conclusion of highly qualified commissions, leaving President Saakashvili in his current state is an act of torturing him, which is illegal, a crime and a gross violation of internationally recognized fundamental rights, which will irreversibly damage the country's stability, international image and our historical perspective.

Therefore, regardless of political differences, we should not be dragged into the vortex of revenge; We, the citizens of Georgia, should not allow President Mikheil Saakashvili to die by torture. He should be sent abroad for treatment immediately. This is correct based on the principles of history, political expediency, humanism and civility. I urge you to unite for this purpose!" reads the letter.

Joining the statement are:

Giorgi Margvelashvili, Georgia's fourth president, 2013-2018.
Davit Bakradze, chairman of the Georgian Parliament, 2008-2012.
Nemo Burchuladze , 1990-1991. Chairman of Parliament in exile.
Nino Burjanadze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, 2004-2008.
Davit Usupashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, 2012-2016, (with the inscription "I join the request")
Sergi Kapanadze, vice speaker of parliament, 2016-2020.
Mikheil Machavariani, first deputy speaker of parliament, 2004-2012.
Eka Beselia, Chairman of the Legal Committee of Parliament, 2012-2018.
Khatuna Gogorishvili, Chairman of the Committee on Procedures and Rules of Parliament, 2004-2012.
Givi Targamadze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense, 2004-2012.
Nino Nakashidze, Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Parliament of Georgia, 2004-2008.
Gedi Pofkhadze, Chairman of the Temporary Commission on Restoration of Territorial Integrity and De-occupation of the Parliament of Georgia, 2016-2018.
Gigi Tsereteli, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, 2017-2020.
Avtandil Demetrashvili, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, 1996-2001.
Konstantin Kublashvili, Chairman of the Supreme Court, 2005-2015.
Giorgi Papuashvili, Chairman of the Constitutional Court 2006-2016.
Beso Loladze, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court, 2006-10010.
Zaza Meishvili, first deputy chairman of the Supreme Court, 2006-2016.
Ketevan Eremadze, judge of the Constitutional Court, 2006-2016.
Maia Kopaleishvili, judge of the Constitutional Court, 2009-2019.
Nona Tsotsoria, judge of the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg), 2008-2018.
Gega Mgaloblishvili, Prime Minister, 2008-2009.
Gela Bezhuashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2005-2008.
Giorgi Gabashvili, Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, 2004-2007.
Konstantin Gabashvili, Minister of Science and Education of Georgia, 1992-1993.
Iulon Gagoshidze, Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs of Georgia, 2008-2009
Tornike Gordadze, minister of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, 2012.
Mirza (Papuna) Davitaia, State Minister for the Diaspora of Georgia, 2009-2012.
Grigol Vashadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2009-2012.
Nikoloz Vacheishvili, Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, 2008.
Giorgi Zedginidze, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, 2012
Paata Zakareishvili, Minister of State for Reintegration, 2012-2014.
Temur Yakobashvili, Deputy Prime Minister, State Minister for Reintegration, 2008-2011.
Davit Kezerashvili, Minister of Defense, 2006-2008
Alexandre Kvitashvili, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2008-2010
Alexandre (Kakha) Lomaia, Minister of Education and Science, 2004-2007 (with inscription "Mikheil Saakashvili - political prisoner")
Gia Nodia, Minister of Science and Education of Georgia, 2008.
Alexi Petriashvili, Minister of State for Integration into European and Euro-Atlantic Structures, 2012-2014.
Davit Sikharulidze, Minister of defense, 2009.
Koba Subeliani, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons, Accommodation and Refugees, 2008-2012.
Eka Tkeshelashvili, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Reintegration, 2010-2012.
Andria Urushadze, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2010-2012.
Vera Kobalia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, 2010-2012.
Irakli Gvaladze, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, 2008
Dimitri Shashkini, Minister of Education and Science, 2009-2012.
David Chantladze, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, 2007
Valery Chechelashvili, Minister of Finance, 2005
Zurab Chiaberashvili, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2012
Goga Khachidze, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, 2008-2012
Tina Khidasheli, Minister of Defense of Georgia, 2015-2016.
Irakli Abesadze, Member of Parliament, 2016-2020.
Nazi Aronia , Member of Parliament, 2004-2008.
Bimurza Afrasidze, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991.
Levan Berdzenishvili, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Lado Gegelashvili, Member of Parliament, 2004-2007.
Nino Goguadze, Member of Parliament 2012-2016.
Davit Darchiashvili, Member of Parliament, 2008-2016.
Levan Tarkhnishvili, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Medea Tushmalishvili, Member of Parliament 1990-1991.
Revaz Kemularia, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991.
Mikheil Makharadze, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Omar Megrelidze, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Levan Metreveli, Member of Parliament, 2004-2008.
Velodi Mirtskhulava, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991.
Irma Nadirashvili, Member of Parliament, 2012-2020.
Maia Nadiradze, Member of Parliament 2004-2008.
Nodar Noniashvili, Member of Parliament 1990-1991.
Khatuna Ochiauri, Member of Parliamentv2008-2012.
Sergo Ratiani, Member of Parliament 2012-2020.
Gubaz Sanikidze, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
David Sakvarelidze, Member of Parliament, 2012-2015.
Mariam Sajaia, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Tengiz Chachava, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991.
Gogi Tikava, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991.
Vakhtang Tsagareishvili, Member of Parliament, 1990-1991
Nugzar Tsiklauri, Member of Parliament 2008-2016.
Bezhan Javakhia, Member of Parliament 1990-1991.
Zurab Dzhaparidze, Member of Parliament, 2012-2016.
Kakhaber Mikeladze, deputy of the Supreme Council of Adjara, 2004-2008.
Kakhaber Surguladze, deputy of the Supreme Council of Adjara, 2004-2008.
Giorgi Kadagidze, President of the National Bank, 2009-2016.
Dimitri Kitoshvili, Chairman of the Communications Regulatory Commission, 2005-2006.
Guram Chalagashvili, Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission, 2007-2013.
Ucha Nanuashvili, People's Advocate, 2012-2017.
Giorgi Tugushi, Public Defender, 2009-2012.
Davit Rakviashvili, Secretary of the Security Council, 2013-2018.
Gigi Kalandadze, Chief of the General Staff, 2012.
Malkhaz (Kakha) Akishbaia, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, 2006-2009.
Levan Varshalomidze, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, 2004-2012.
Gigi Ugulava, Mayor of Tbilisi, 2005-2014.
Sevdia Urekelidze, Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, 2013-2014.
Paata Gafrindashvili, Deputy Minister of Defense, 2004-2005.
Gia Getsadze, Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia (2003-2004) and Ukraine (2015-2018)
Gigi Gigiadze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2014-2016.
Irakli Giorgobiani, First Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2003-2012.
Eka Gureshidze, First Deputy Minister of Justice, 2003-2005.
Mikheil Dolidze, deputy minister of labor, health and social protection, 2010-2012.
Jaba Ebanoidze, deputy minister of justice, 2009-2010.
Davit ioseliani, Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, 2008-2012.
Tamar Kovziridze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, 2004-2008
Gocha Mamatsashvili, First Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, 2009-2012
Vamiko Mosidze, Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2004-2007
Giorgi Muchaidze, Deputy Minister of Defense, 2006-2009
Ana Zhvania, deputy minister of education, 2008-2009
Akaki Seferteladze, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, 2009-2012
Guga Sulkhanishvili, first deputy minister of culture, monuments protection and sports, 2004-2006
Nodar Surguladze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, 2008-2012
Shota Utiashvili, Deputy Minister of Corrections, 2012.
Irakli Forchkhidze, first deputy minister of reintegration, 2010-2012.
Batu Kutelia, Deputy Minister of Defense, 2006-2008
Giorgi Kifiani, Deputy Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, 2009-2012.
Giorgi Chakhnashvili, deputy minister of education and science, 2009-2012.
Davit Tskhadadze, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, 2008-2012.
Giorgi Chakaya, Deputy Minister of Justice, 2011-2012.
Dmitry Dzagnidze, Deputy Minister of Justice, 2005-2012.
Bela Tsifuria, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, 2004-2008
Zviad Cheishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy, 2008
Marine Chogoshvili, Deputy Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, 2008-2012.
Elene Khoshtaria, first deputy minister of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, 2007-2012.
David Jandieri, First Deputy Minister of Justice, 2012-2013.
Levan Jugeli, Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection, 2003-2007.
Gia Abuladze, minister of education, culture and sports of Adjara, 2010-2012.
Levan Antadze, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection of Adjara, 2008-2011.
Temur Gabaidze, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection of Adjara, 2011-2012.
Donara Surmanidze, Minister of Agriculture of Adjara, 2011-2012.
Avtandil Bolkvadze, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara, 2004-2006
Ednar Abuladze, chairman of the Kedi City Council, 2006-2010
Tariel Abuladze, governor of Khulo, 2005-2007
Elguja Bagrationi, Chairman of Kobulet City Council, 2012-2014.
Revaz Mikeladze, Chairman of Khulo City Council, 2007-2011.
Otar Chekaladze, governor of Khulo, 2004.
Mikheil Avaliani, chairman of the National Environmental Agency, 2007.
Ekaterina Yegutia, deputy chairman of the National Center of Intellectual Property "Sakpatent", 2010-2014.
Ketevan Ignatov, Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, 2009-2012.
Kartlos Kifiani, head of the Public Service Bureau, 2004-2006.
Giorgi Shonvadze, Chairman of the Agency of Protected Areas 2006-2013.
Rati Japaridze, Chairman of the Agency of Protected Areas, 2013-2014.
Gigi Tevzadze, Rector of Ilia University, 2004-2012.
Davit Chomakhidze, Rector of Tbilisi State University, 2010-2016.
Gia Mamulashvili, Director of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development, 2010-2013.
Akaki Khuskivadze, Director of Tbilisi State School #161, 2010-2013.