An opposition protest is ongoing outside the No 12 Penitentiary Facility in the city of Rustavi, located outside capital Tbilisi, with demands of moving the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili from the prison to a private clinic due to health reasons, agenda.ge reports.
Announced a week ago by the political opposition, led by the United National Movement party headed by Saakashvili during his presidency, the demonstration launched at 5pm local time and saw members of the UNM and several other opposition parties, as well as citizens supporting the high-profile inmate, arrive outside the facility and make the demand they have voiced with the media over the recent days.
Their message follows contradictory information on the health condition and diet of the former president over the same period, with his personal physician telling the local press on Friday Saakashvili's health was in a "rather difficult" state, and arguing the politician required examination by a cardiologist, an eye specialist and a larynx professional.
Nikoloz Kipshidze also said he was unhappy with the treatment of his patient at the facility and could not see a way forward for successful medical attention while Saakashvili remained at the prison. In a further self-imposed restriction of care, his patient on Saturday appeared to refuse to take necessary medication, aiming to "completely prevent any speculation [about my diet]".
Kipshidze's remarks followed comments made by Minister of Justice of Georgia, Rati Bregadze, to Rustavi 2 channel earlier the same day, with the official telling the outlet the imprisoned politician ate products outside "medical designation", in contradiction to hunger strike diet.