Saakashvili denies being poisoned

On November 21, Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned ex-president of Georgia, refuted his attorney's assertion that he may have been poisoned.

Saakashvili said on Facebook, "I have never disclosed to any of my attorneys that I believe I was poisoned. On this subject, speculation is not appropriate."

"I would like to convey my appreciation to the medical profession for their help. I value their assistance in the workplace. My health is fast declining; during the past two months, it has worsened. The Vivamedi medical staff makes every effort. There is no need to politicize, and it is imperative to have confidence in experts," Saakashvili stated.

Lawyer Valeri Gelbakhiani earlier said Mikheil Saakashvili was poisoned.

Tbilisi Mayor: "The President can pardon Saakashvili"

On November 22, Kakha Kaladze, the Tbilisi mayor, and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, stated that Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili should decide whether to grant a pardon to imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili. However, he added that his position was that everyone must answer for crimes committed.

Kaladze said: "Relevant agencies were doing everything to ensure the health and safety of all prisoners, including the former official. The former president, along with his lawyers and a portion of the domestic opposition, has claimed a significant deterioration of his health in detention and the need for a transfer abroad for treatment."

"Pardoning Saakashvili is up to the president. The president must make the decision, but I repeat, a person who is accused and has committed a specific crime about specific cases, my position is that everyone should be held accountable," the GD official added.

"When you are in politics, and you are a politician, especially the first person of the country, you have a very big responsibility, and it is very sad what was happening in the country regarding freedom of expression and speech, what was the attitude toward the business sector, and what was the attitude toward people with different opinions [during Saakashvili's term in office]? It was very serious, and I think everyone who committed a crime in this direction should be held accountable," Kaladze concluded.

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Irakli Kobakhidze on David Lee's remarks, MEPs' Address on Saakashvili and IRI Survey

Georgian Ministry of Justice: "We Will not Extradite Saakashvili to Ukraine"