A Georgian court has refused a request to delay Mikheil Saakashvili’s sentence or to release him on health grounds. The decision was reported by a news agency with a link to the meeting’s broadcast. The ruling underscores the ongoing legal process surrounding the former president and the state’s handling of his detention while he contests a series of criminal accusations.
During the session, the judge stated that the court could not grant the request from Saakashvili’s attorney, Shalva Khachapuridze, to either free him from execution of the sentence or postpone the sentence itself. The formal decision given by the Tbilisi City Court reflects current procedures and the posture of the judiciary as it weighs health concerns against the regulatory framework governing the defendant’s confinement.
On February 6, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on the Georgian government, along with European bodies such as the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the PACE, and parliaments of EU member states, to arrange for Saakashvili to receive medical treatment abroad promptly. The appeal signals concern from another regional government body about the circumstances of his health and the appropriate avenues for medical care beyond Georgia’s borders, as noted in the cited correspondence.
Mikheil Saakashvili returned to Georgia in October 2021 amid a number of criminal cases and was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. He has repeatedly argued that his detention is politically motivated, a claim he has reiterated while undergoing a hunger strike to protest conditions and time in custody. In May 2022, his health deteriorated to the point where he was moved from a prison facility to a capital clinic for evaluation and treatment, highlighting the severity of his medical needs and the ongoing debate over his confinement status.
Observers and international commentators have followed the case with interest, noting the intersection of domestic legal proceedings, human rights considerations, and cross-border calls for access to medical care. The evolving situation continues to provoke discussion about the balance between upholding the rule of law and ensuring adequate medical attention for a former head of state who remains a central figure in Georgia’s political narrative. The parties involved have not indicated any imminent changes to the current custody arrangements, even as health concerns remain a focal point of public and diplomatic attention. In this environment, the question of whether Saakashvili might be released or receive treatment abroad continues to be closely watched by supporters, critics, and international allies alike, with ongoing coverage and commentary referenced through various news agencies and official statements in the public record.