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Georgian penitentiary again refuses Saakashvili transfer for court hearing
POLITICS
15.11.2021 | 20:12
The Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia has again refused to transfer ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili for his trial hearing at the Tbilisi City Court, citing risks of obstruction by the former president’s supporters, as well as health concerns, civil.ge reported.
Saakashvili is standing trial today in the misappropriation of public funds case. Previously, on November 10, he was similarly denied the possibility to attend a hearing into the case of exceeding official authority, concerning the crackdown on the 2007 anti-government protests and a raid on and “seizure” of Imedi TV station.
Referring to a coup plot investigation by the State Security Service, the Special Penitentiary Service argued Saakashvili’s supporters could possibly interfere with the transfer, block the roads and cause an uncontrollable situation. It also argued attending the hearing could pose security risks for the ex-President as well.
The Penitentiary Service noted that as Saakashvili, currently hospitalized in the Gldani #18 clinic against his will, refuses the “essential part of treatment,” his attendance at the hearing could pose an additional health risk.
