The murder of Alexei Navalny starkly illustrated the perils inherent in political persecution. This sobering reality underscores the vulnerability faced by political detainees and opposition figures in the Russian Federation and beyond.
In its Resolution 2463 (2022) on “Further escalation in the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine”, the Parliamentary Assembly called “for a review of cases of other political prisoners opposed to President Putin, in the Russian Federation and in other countries, and for their release (including Mikheil Saakashvili, who is a Ukrainian citizen and former President of Georgia).”
Given the continued mistreatment of Mr Saakashvili, including violations of his rights to honour, dignity and privacy, lack of adequate medical treatment, and persistent psychological pressure in prison, his life and health remain at risk.
On 28 January 2024, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) released its report detailing a visit conducted from 25 to 27 March 2023 to the VivaMedi Clinic in Tbilisi, where Mr Saakashvili (referred to as “Mr C”) was receiving inpatient treatment. According to the CPT, the situation within VivaMedi Clinic “is oppressive, degrading, and not conducive to improving his health condition.”
In October 2024, Georgia will hold key parliamentary elections. The opening of EU accession negotiations is directly conditional to conducting parliamentary elections in a transparent, free and fair environment. The political imprisonment of Mr Saakashvili has already raised concerns regarding the fairness of the upcoming electoral process.
In light of these considerations, the Assembly should urgently appeal to the Georgian authorities for the immediate release of Mikheil Saakashvili, who is incarcerated on politically motivated charges, and call upon the European Union, its member States, and allied partners worldwide to persist in their endeavors aimed at securing the release of all political prisoners.