Up to 10 opposition MPs are on a hunger strike in the parliament building demanding that ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili be transferred to a civilian clinic.
“At this stage, 9 deputies are on a hunger strike with the only demand – to transfer Mikheil Saakashvili to a multi-profile civilian clinic to provide him with adequate health care services,” said Davit Kirkitadze from the United National Movement at a briefing in parliament.
Akaki Minashvili, Temur Janashia, Bachuki Kardava, Nika Machutadze, Giorgi Godabrelidze, Sulkhan Sibashvili, Levan Bezhashvili, Abdulla Ismailov and Davit Kirkitadze are on a hunger strike until their demands are met.
Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the Droa party, has been on a hunger strike for 2 weeks as a sign of solidarity with Saakashvili.
UNM member Gia Baramidze also joined the deputies. He is on a hunger strike at the party headquarters.
Georgia’s opera singer Paata Burchuladze also declared hunger strike demanding Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer to a civilian clinic from the prison hospital.
Mikheil Saakashvili was taken to the clinic of Gldani Prison #18 on November 8, against his will. Saakashvili agrees to end hunger strike in exchange for transfer to civilian multidisciplinary clinic.
By Ana Dumbadze