During a press conference at the National Conference on Gender Equality on December 15, Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, stressed that the government has a responsibility to ensure that his [imprisoned ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili's] human rights are respected, that he receives the medical and psychological care he needs, and that he receives a fair trial."
Kelly Degnan emphasized that with a court hearing already in progress, such legal processes should continue in conformity with fundamental human rights, the protection of privacy, and the right to a fair trial.
The Ambassador also mentioned Saakashvili, but with regard to the information that the former president had missed his own hearing due to technical difficulties. She said, "In the United States, when a judge directs actions to be taken, then everyone tries their greatest to see that the court order is implemented," she added.
Degnan stated, "There is a special urgency since there is such widespread worry for Mr. Saakashvili's health and well-being both locally and internationally. Further delays [court meeting day] just raise more doubts and worries about his well-being."
Notably, on December 14, the Special Penitentiary Service purportedly released a video of Saakashvili in the clinic where he is receiving medical attention. According to Saakashvili's attorney, the tape was distributed without his permission.
Citing strong public interest, the agency released the almost 11-minute-long footage of Saakashvili in a private room at the private clinic Vivamedi. In the footage, the former president seems skinny and moves slowly.
Saakashvili: "You can carry out your plan of murder, but you cannot break me"
Mikheil Saakashvili stated, "You can carry out your murderous scheme, but you cannot break me." Saakashvili pointed out that the system exposed itself to the entire world.
"Yesterday, the system made a fool of itself for the whole world to see. I want to appeal to everyone who considers himself a person of dignity. I hope for your humanity. In any country of the world, including Russia, have you seen such wildness? I feel most sorry for the medical staff, who are taken hostage by a band of robbers and terrorized in every possible way. Whatever happens to me, the doctors will be the least guilty of it, and no one should try to blame them. As for me, you can carry out your plan of murder, but you cannot break me," the letter reads.
