Public Defender of Georgia invited a group of multiprofile medical experts to monitor the adequacy and timeliness of medical services provided to Mikheil Saakashvili by the Ministry of Justice/Special Penitentiary Service. The group also aims to assess whether Medical Establishment No. 18 is currently in compliance with the protection of Mikheil Saakashvili"s right to health and whether adequate medical care will be available at the facility after the prisoner calls off his long hunger strike, as required by the European Court of Human Rights in its November 10 ruling.

Ombudsman’s Office has been monitoring the quality and timeliness of the medical services provided to Mikheil Saakashvili in the penitentiary system since the day of his arrest. The Office has also been guided by the reports and recommendations of the multifunctional council created by the Ministry of Justice.

The Public Defender decided to use the powers granted to her by law and to set up a multiprofile group of experts to monitor the effectiveness of the medical services provided to the prisoner by the State. However, she also emphasizes that the Public Defender cannot and will not replace the responsibility of the State for the care of the prisoner and his health.

Currently, in connection with the case of prisoner Mikheil Saakashvili, the Public Defender invited the following specialists distinguished by their qualifications and good faith:

Giorgi Grigolia - Anesthesiologist-resuscitator
Grigoli Khurtsidze - Internal diseases/hospital medicine
Giorgi Kacharava - Cardiologist
Giorgi Papiashvili - Cardiologist/arrhythmologist
Aida Gozalova - Hematologist, clinical oncologist, internist, palliative medicine specialist
Mamuka Machaidze - Infectionist, therapist
Tengo Tsuladze - Neurologist
Nino Zavrashvili - Endocrinologist
Merab Kavtaradze, Doctor of Medicine, employed in the Public Defender’s Office on the basis of an employment contract, will also be involved in the group’s activities. If necessary, the group will be expanded.