Zurabishvili's version | Why doesn't she agree to transfer President Mikheil Saakashvili to a civilian clinic?

If we agree that the ex-president is not and cannot be an ordinary prisoner, we must also agree that the possibility offered to an ordinary prisoner to be transferred to a civilian clinic is more difficult because of this particular feature because of the many possible dangers, - Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said in a briefing.

Zurabishvili said that despite the fact that Saakashvili himself has decided to go on hunger strike, this does not diminish the responsibility of the government.

She said the public has the right to be fully informed about Saakashvili's health condition, which is the responsibility of the government.

"Everyone is united before the law, but at the time of sentencing and in prison he is not a former president and cannot be an ordinary prisoner. He is a special prisoner because all of us - our society as well as the international community - are watching his condition and demanding the highest standards. The face of our country is reflected in how we treat him and how his dignity, health and safety will be protected.

Thus, throughout this period, I have received and receive regular updates on the former President's health status from relevant agencies such as the Public Defender, the State Inspector, the Minister of Justice and the Ministry of Health.

Today, I would like to address the government and the public and express my views on this serious matter:

The former President's dignity must be protected regardless of his behavior, because the former President is still associated with the state and this status must be respected, therefore it is categorically unacceptable for me as the President of this country, The public well remembers the treatment of prisoners in the court and penitentiary system of the former president. Therefore, the current authorities cannot be compared to their predecessor. Therefore, indifference, ridicule, mockery and insults are unacceptable not only to me, but I am sure to the entire society.

The health of the former president deserves special attention. In all civilized countries information regarding the health of a president or a former president falls into another category - public and not private. This is of special public interest because everyone understands that their health, the health of the presidents is directly or indirectly related  and can affect the stability of the state. So, we all understand that an ex-president's health may become a tool to destabilise the country, even if he himself decided to go on hunger strike and tries to manage it, it does not lessen or diminish the responsibility of the government. Logically, the government should be most interested in preserving the health of the former president, and I think this is the case. For its part, the public has a right to receive full, impartial, reliable and detailed information on hunger, nutrition and analyses on a daily basis instead of rumours, false and mutually contradictory information and speculation. This is the responsibility of the government and I call on it to immediately start fulfilling this obligation in full and not in part.

There is a demand that the ex-president, like other ordinary prisoners, be transferred to another civilian multi-purpose clinic. These words are repeated by everyone in such a way that they have no real idea what they mean or what the dangers are. If we accept that the ex-president is not and cannot be an ordinary prisoner, we must also accept that the opportunity afforded to an ordinary prisoner to be transferred to a civilian clinic is more difficult to realise because of the many possible dangers, which are difficult to eliminate. The ex-president should be held to the highest international standards so that there is no question or doubt that his treatment was reduced during his hunger strike, if not at a less dangerous stage, i.e. after his hunger strike ends. ", Salome Zurabishvili said.

Objective needs and claims must therefore also be clarified in this direction: what standards need to be met in prison clinics abroad where hunger striking prisoners are being treated. That is, a list of medical facilities that should be equipped in which a prisoner will continue to be treated.

The government is obliged to inform the public whether the existing facility meets these standards, the list is needed again, and if not, to find an alternative and safe solution, as this is a matter of great public concern.
 
The government is obligated to take all measures, to provide all information, to consider all threats that might affect the stability of a society or a country. At times like this it is very unfortunate that the existing council has not been given the opportunity to continue its activities, but it is remarkable that the initiative of the Ombudsman to assess the current situation and provide more information to the public, because the lack of information feeds the agitation.

In this situation, it is impossible not to express concern that provocative statements by some officials instead of information and measured comments cause more misunderstanding, tension or irritation in society.
 
For peace and the depolarisation of the country it is important that any words or actions are understood as much as possible to avoid all sorts of provocations and attempts at confrontation.

A country with its territory occupied and whose aim is European integration is under particular scrutiny and threat. Therefore, any provocation, speculation and destabilisation, no matter where it comes from, requires an immediate, thoughtful and intelligent response! " says Zurabishvili.