Ukrainian ombudsman considers Saakashvili's treatment as torture
By The Messenger Staff
Friday, December 31
Public Defender of Ukraine Nino Lomjaria assesses the treatment of Mikheil Saakashvili as torture. The ombudsman is outraged over Saakashvili's transfer from Gori hospital.
“I'm surprised by the cynicism of how it was done. The sick Mikheil Saakashvili was taken out last night without warning from his lawyers. His health condition is critical and worrying: after three hypertensive crises he feels bad, he did not get out of bed for several days,” Denisova wrote.
The ombudsman notes that transferring Mikheil Saakashvili to such a state in a penitentiary institution is a violation of a prisoner's rights, and the lack of medical care is a violation of human rights convention.
“I consider such actions of the Georgian government as torture and deprivation of the right to life of a Ukrainian citizen, Mikheil Saakashvili, which is a violation of the articles of the Civil and Political Rights Pact, which was ratified in Georgia in 2002,” Denisova said.
He calls on the Public Defender to visit Nino Lomjaria in Mikheil Saakashvili's prison. He also appeals to the Ukrainian ambassador to help Saakashvili as a Ukrainian citizen as a consul.
In addition, Denisova called on international organizations and countries to condemn the actions of Georgian government officials.