The European Parliament on Wednesday called on the Georgian authorities to release former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has become increasingly topical in recent weeks due to his poor health while serving a six-year sentence for abuse of power.
In a resolution, MEPs urge Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili to use her constitutional powers to pardon the former president and allow him to be treated abroad, after countries such as Poland have offered to take him in.
The European Parliament is gravely concerned about his deteriorating health and takes note of reports that he may have been poisoned in prison. It also warns that this case should be a «litmus test» for the EU aspirations of Georgia, which the European Union considered as its European perspective while recognizing Ukraine and Moldova as candidates to join the bloc.
«The way prisoners in the country, such as the former president, are treated is a litmus test for the Georgian government’s commitment to European values and its stated European aspirations,» the resolution has stated.
Saakashvili has been serving a six-year prison sentence for abuse of power since 2021. Since his imprisonment, he has launched several hunger strikes and has denounced a poisoning attempt.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
