Georgia prison service: inmate refused treatment during hunger strike

Georgia's Special Penitentiary Service has responded to reports concerning inmate Nodar Tatunashvili, stating that he repeatedly refused medical examinations, treatment and hospital transfers during a prolonged hunger strike.

The service on Monday said Tatunashvili, who had been classified as a high-risk inmate, began a hunger strike on 1 April 2026. Officials said he refused food and consumed only liquids.

The penitentiary service said that under Georgian law, a mentally competent patient has the right to decide whether to accept food or medical treatment. It stated that Tatunashvili declined laboratory and diagnostic examinations, as well as monitoring of his vital signs.

Authorities said he was offered a transfer to Penitentiary Medical Facility No. 18 in April but declined. The service also said he was repeatedly offered treatment at a civilian hospital and initially refused those proposals.

According to the statement, Tatunashvili eventually agreed to a hospital transfer on 13 May. The following day, he was moved from Penitentiary Facility No. 3 to Vivamedi Clinic for inpatient observation and management of health complications associated with his hunger strike.

Officials said he was able to move independently and remained responsive at the time of the transfer, although he had been physically weakened by the effects of the hunger strike.

The penitentiary service said that despite repeated offers of food and comprehensive medical treatment, Tatunashvili continued to refuse both, which it said limited the ability of medical staff to provide appropriate care.

The agency said it hoped no threat would arise to Tatunashvili's life or health and noted that he remains under the continuous supervision of qualified medical personnel.