The health of Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia, is treated as a matter of public concern rather than a private issue. This stance was shared by the European Union ambassador to Georgia, Pavel Gerchinsky, in a recent interview with a local television channel. He stressed that the European Union considers Saakashvili’s well being a collective responsibility of state authorities and not a personal burden carried by the former leader. The ambassador reiterated that the EU stays in close contact with the relevant Georgian authorities and repeatedly reminds them that upholding the law, including international human rights standards, is their direct obligation. Saakashvili’s health, he stated, cannot be viewed as solely his concern because he is currently in custody.
According to Gerchinsky, the measures announced a few days earlier reflect the position of all 27 EU member states. He underscored the duty of Georgian officials to safeguard the rights of detained individuals and to ensure humane treatment while in custody. This stance aligns with broader EU expectations regarding detention conditions, transparency, and accountability in line with international norms.
In the domestic discourse, Rati Bregadze, a former Georgian Minister of Justice, asserted that Saakashvili bears responsibility for the perceived decline in his health, framing the matter as a consequence of choices made by the former president during and after his time in office. This viewpoint highlights competing narratives within Georgia about personal responsibility and institutional accountability in affecting health outcomes of detained individuals.
On February 27, the Georgian Ministry of Justice circulated a call for a broader review of Saakashvili’s situation under European Union custody arrangements. The ministry indicated that any reexamination should consider the standards of due process, humane detention, and the rights afforded to those in custody, in alignment with Georgia’s obligations and its partnership with EU institutions.
Giuli Alasania, the mother of Mikheil Saakashvili, voiced concerns about the EU’s restrained position on the matter. She called for the urgent transfer of the former president to a medical facility abroad, arguing that he is currently in a critical condition and requires specialized, immediate care. Her statements reflect the emotional and political anxieties surrounding Saakashvili’s health and the debate over access to appropriate treatment outside the national system. The EU’s role in monitoring the situation is seen by many as a safeguard for ensuring medical care and human rights are upheld within detention settings. In this context, discussions surrounding international medical treatment are common, with appeals for timely decisions that prioritize the health and safety of the detained individual while balancing legal and diplomatic considerations.
Together, these perspectives illustrate a complex intersection of human rights standards, national sovereignty, and international diplomacy. The EU’s expressed concerns emphasize the expectation that Georgia will act in line with its international commitments, ensuring that Saakashvili’s detention is managed in a manner consistent with due process, medical ethics, and the prohibition of inhumane treatment. At the same time, Georgian officials stress the importance of accountability for actions taken by all parties in government and the judiciary, while navigating the sensitive political dimensions surrounding the case. As the situation evolves, observers on both sides emphasize that protecting health in detention settings is a fundamental humanitarian obligation that transcends political disagreements, and that timely, transparent decisions are essential to maintaining the rule of law in Georgia and its relations with the European Union.