The penitentiary institution reiterates that Mikheil Saakashvili is "provided with all necessary medical services".

The Special Penitentiary Service issued a statement regarding the third president and wrote that he was under round-the-clock surveillance in the detention center and "provided all necessary medical services".

The agency described the information that they would not give out Mikheil Saakashvili's medical records as an attempt to mislead the public. The agency also considers the media reports about the possible poisoning of Mikheil Saakashvili an attempt to discredit them.

In addition, the penitentiary says that Mikheil Saakashvili selectively refuses certain studies.

"Given the high public interest, we explain that M. Saakashvili has been under intensive 24-hour surveillance since the day he was placed in the penitentiary system, provided with all the necessary medical services, under the direct supervision of a doctor and medical staff of the facility (dermatologist, urologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, cardiologist). Appropriate treatment was prescribed and carried out, which is reflected in the medical records of the institution.

It is noteworthy that the convicted person selectively refused a number of examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, treatment prescribed by a neurologist, a course of psychotherapy, and recommended physical activity. According to the Detention Code, just like any other accused/convicted person, M. Saakashvili is allowed to spend at least 1 hour a day in the walking area provided by the penitentiary institution, but the convict himself refuses to use it.

During his stay in the penitentiary system the convict underwent numerous clinical-laboratory and instrumental examinations, including PCR-testing for respiratory symptoms on March 6 of this year, but no coronavirus was confirmed.

It is an attempt to mislead the public by spreading information that the service is not issuing Saakashvili's medical records. We explain that this was repeatedly requested by and granted to his lawyers as well as by several organizations, which is confirmed by various reports prepared by them. For reference, on March 29 of this year,  the relevant medical documents at the request of the Mikheil Saakashvili's lawyer. Copies of the requested medical records are also being prepared and will be sent within the time frame established by law.

The attempt to discredit the Special Service is an accusation spread in the media that Saakashvili may be poisoned or intoxicated, as well as media reports that the convict's life is in danger and that there will be attempts to poison him in the future. Accordingly, the Special Service will take all necessary measures with regard to the accused convict to ensure the safety of Saakashvili and proper conditions," the agency said in a statement.