Mikheil Saakashvili's health and legal situation

The Empathy Centre publishes a statement on the health and legal situation of Mikheil Saakashvili and writes that an anti-psychotic drug was used inappropriately, which is considered a method of pharmaceutical torture by international standards.

"Empathy" writes that this act is aimed to break and subdue a person.

In violation of Georgian legislation, the Center of Empathy was allowed to examine the health condition of Mikheil Saakashvili only on 18.11.2021 in the 18th Gldani prison with de facto restrictions. On immediate transfer. He was taken to Gori Military Hospital in the night of November 19 to 20 where we saw Mikheil Saakashvili for the first time on 27.11.2021. We assessed his condition as neuroleptic syndrome. Post-traumatic stress disorder associated with torture and inhuman treatment was also detected and again neurological symptoms of Wernicke's encephalopathy, caused by forced prolonged starvation through inadequate treatment and inadequate medical intervention, became evident.

At our insistence, the admission of the antipsychotic medication he had been taking inappropriately was changed in the 12th prison in Rustavi until 27.11.2021. The inappropriate use of anti-psychotic medication against a detainee is considered by international standards to be a method of pharmaceutical torture and in many cases is intended to harass and subdue the individual. After the prescription was changed (the antipsychotic medication was withdrawn and a tranquillizer was prescribed to correct the condition) Mikheil Saakashvili was able to take part in the trial," Empathy writes.

In addition, they say, Mikheil Saakashvili still needs inpatient multidisciplinary treatment, rehabilitation, especially in the neuropsychological area.

"Empathy" still believes that Mikheil Saakashvili's imprisonment is dangerous and unacceptable for his life and health.

"At the same time, the Empathy Centre's team of specialists continues to monitor the patient's health. He still requires multidisciplinary inpatient treatment - rehabilitation, especially in the neuropsychological area. According to conclusions of 11.10.2021 and 12/11/2021, as well as on the basis of video materials published by the Ministry of Justice on Mikheil Saakashvili's transfer from one institution to another, his treatment in Georgian prison system was assessed as torture and inhuman treatment, psychological violence and physical abuse. Inadequate medical care has given the risk to life, What happened in the 18 institution because of the health condition or hostile environment of the patient, which is aggravated by inappropriate prescription of antipsychotic drugs. These facts are being investigated by the Georgian State Inspector. However, for the time being all officials remain in power. Therefore, Mikheil Saakashvili's placement in the Georgian prison system is still considered a threat to his life and health.

So far on our request of 22.11.2021, on 12.06.2021 we have received the medical records of both institutions, and the patient's file on 28.11.2021. Upon request, he was given the medical card from Gori Hospital, which was forwarded to Empathy Centre through the lawyers on 12.04.2021. Given the complexity of the case and the volume of documentation, the consolidated expert opinion of the Empathy Centre will be submitted by 12.10.2021. The final part will be made public after agreement with the patient and a briefing will be held at the Empathy Centre, the exact time of which we will inform the public. This report will be forwarded to Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili and his lawyers for submission to the local or European Court of Human Rights, as well as to the Public Defender of Georgia and the State Inspector, as well as the Public Defender of Ukraine," the statement reads.