Civil Georgia
December 15, 2022
U.S. Ambassador: Government “has a Responsibility” for Protecting Saakashvili’s Rights
While speaking with media at the National Conference on gender equality, U.S. Ambassador Kelly Degnan emphasized in relation to imprisoned ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili that “the government has a responsibility to ensure that his human rights are respected, that he receives the medical care and psychological care he needs, and that he receives a fair trial.”
She also underscored that “with a court hearing underway, those legal processes should continue in accordance with basic human rights and the protection of privacy as well as the right to a fair trial.”
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The Ambassador also made statements in reference to Saakashvili the day before, albeit in relation to the news that the ex-President missed his own hearing because of technical reasons. “The postponement today I think was surprise,” she said, adding that “in the United States, when a judge orders steps to be taken, then everyone does their utmost to ensure that that court order is fulfilled.”
She also pointed out, “there’s a particular urgency because there is a such great concern both domestically and internationally regarding Mr. Saakashvili’s health and welfare….Further delays only increase the questions and concerns regarding his well-being.”
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Civil Georgia
December 15, 2022
EU Ambassador: On Authorities to Ensure Respect for Saakashvili’s Rights
Speaking with media at the National Conference on gender equality, the head of the EU Delegation in Georgia Pawel Herczynski emphasized in relation to imprisoned ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili that it falls on Georgian authorities to “make sure that all his rights are fully respected, his rights as the prisoner but also his rights as the defendant.”
…He remarked that in the 21st Century, “in a place as advanced as Tbilisi it is difficult to understand why it was not possible for [Saakashvili] to appear in court.”
To that end, the EU Ambassador expressed the hope that going forward it will be “technically possible for him to do it online as his rights as a defendant should be fully respected.”
The Ambassador also said that he was “glad” to hear that the ex-President ultimately chose to not go on a hunger strike, and reiterated that they are “monitoring his health very carefully and we are waiting for the next steps which will be decided by the Georgian court.”
Anti-bellum 