Saakashvili stops hunger strike as ‘requests come from Ukraine’

Georgia’s imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who went on hunger strike for the second time on February 21, stated today that he had called off the move, noting that Georgian soldiers who are currently fighting in Ukraine against Russia  and Ukrainian officials made the request. 

Saakashvili said that Russia will lose its fight in Ukraine, and that it will be a chance for Georgia to reintegrate its territories and become stronger. 

“Now than ever we should be united and in good health, including me,” Saakashhvili stated. 

Saakashvili, who currently holds Ukrainian citizenship, was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1, 2021, after eight years in political exile. 

Initially he was on a 50-day hunger strike. 

He suspended the hunger strike when he was transported to Gori military hospital at the end of 2021 for treatment. 

However, he was returned to Rustavi prison shortly after. 

Saakashvili decided to go on another hunger strike as he said to receive proper medical service.