Georgian ex-president close to death on hunger strike

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 21 Nov 2021 by Alex Teddy

Mikheil Saakashvili has been refusing to eat for 50 days. He is in a prison hospital. A doctor recommended that the ex-president be moved to an ordinary hospital. Saakashvili has been losing consciousness. Even if he ends his hunger strike now he may have sustained permanent neurological damage.Saakashvili was president from 2004-13. The pro-Western politician then moved to Ukraine where he became a citizen and provincial governor. He returned to Georgia on October 1 and was arrested. Supporters of Saakashvili say his arrest was political. They also argue that the fact that he has not been sent to a regular hospital is probative of a vendetta against him. The Prime Minister said that Saakashvili is welcome to commit suicide if he wishes. The US has asked Georgia to treat it ex-president humanely. He enjoyed a very cordial relationship with George W. Bush.Politics is polarized. The opposition does not accept the outcome of the recent elections.

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