“We all publicly saw that [Mikheil Saakashvili] was in a very good mood and full of energy — managing world politics, not just Georgia’s. This decision was not surprising to anyone, not even to members of his own party,” said Guram Macharashvili, MP from People’s Power, in response to the transfer of Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, from the Vivamedi clinic to a penitentiary facility.

According to him, Saakashvili was moved to the place where a convicted person should serve his sentence.

“As far as I remember, a representative of the United National Movement — if I’m not mistaken, Ani Tsitlidze — herself stated that [Saakashvili] had been transferred from one prison to another, meaning nothing had changed. They know well that he was moved to the place where a convict must serve his sentence. This is a normal process. Even earlier, we publicly saw that he was in a great mood and full of energy — dealing with world politics, not just Georgia’s. So, this decision surprised no one, not even his own party members. Therefore, he will continue to serve the sentence assigned to him by the court,” said Macharashvili.

When asked why Saakashvili had not been transferred to the penitentiary institution earlier, Macharashvili replied that this question had also been raised among the public and within their ranks.

“Why he wasn’t transferred earlier — this question existed both among the public and among us. Apparently, the relevant authorities, who consult with medical professionals, decided it was now necessary. Based on those medical consultations, it was deemed appropriate to carry out what should have been done earlier,” Macharashvili stated.

For reference, yesterday Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, was transferred from the Vivamedi clinic back to Penitentiary Facility No. 12, where he will continue serving his sentence under the general regime. The Penitentiary Service explained that since Saakashvili’s “health condition is satisfactory and he no longer requires inpatient treatment,” he was discharged from the clinic.