UNM’s Tsitlidze accuses authorities of secretive, “politically motivated” transfer of ex-Pres Saakashvili to prison

Anna Tsitlidze of the United National Movement has accused Georgian authorities of “covertly transferring” former President Mikheil Saakashvili from the Vivamedi clinic back to prison and of exerting political pressure on the medical facility’s assessments of his health.

Tsitlidze said the transfer to the N12 penitentiary facility was carried out “silently and without warning,” claiming Saakashvili’s family was not informed in advance and learned of the move only after the news became public. She described the episode as consistent with what she called the government’s “Russian-style” approach toward political opponents.

According to Tsitlidze, the circumstances of the transfer raised serious concerns. “We expected this because we know that the Russian regime’s target was Mikheil Saakashvili. He expected it too, but the secrecy surrounding the move is confusing,” she said.

She also alleged that the Vivamedi clinic - where Saakashvili had been receiving treatment - issued its latest medical conclusion under political instruction. “We saw Vivamedi’s statements. They received a specific order, and only after that did they write the conclusion about Saakashvili’s health condition,” Tsitlidze claimed.

The Special Penitentiary Service confirmed Saakashvili’s transfer to the N12 prison, while Vivamedi stated that his health condition made the move medically permissible.