The Public Defender calls on the Minister of Justice/Special Penitentiary Service to immediately transfer Mikheil Saakashvili to a multi-profile hospital due to a high probability of developing a dangerous complication.

“One of the clinical aggravations predicted by the group of specialists/experts set up by the Public Defender of Georgia relating to Mikheil Saakashvili occurred yesterday. After observing the aggravated situation on the ground on November 18, the group of experts reaffirmed the need to immediately transfer Mikheil Saakashvili to a multi-profile, high-tech hospital.

Although the team of specialists/experts set up by the Public Defender"s Office assessed the patient"s condition as critical and made a prognosis of severe complications in the November 17 report, Mikheil Saakashvili developed one of the most serious complications - convulsions caused by Wernicke encephalopathy - as a result of the disregard for the recommendations.

Complete MRI, including MR venography, is required to fully evaluate the focal processes in the brain during this period. EEG is also recommended. Other detailed recommendations of the experts have been provided directly to the chief doctor of the institution.

Due to the critical situation and the expected complications, the Public Defender and the group of experts once again call on the Minister of Justice/Special Penitentiary Service to immediately transfer Mikheil Saakashvili to a well-functioning and highly experienced multi-profile hospital due to a high probability of developing a more dangerous complication - epileptic status or coma caused by Wernicke encephalopathy, which may end fatally”, - reads the statement.