The European Court of Human Rights ruled on November 10 an interim measure to urge Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned ex-Georgian president, to call off his hunger strike. The Court further ruled that the Georgian government should inform it of Saakashvili’s state of health, as well as of the hospital treatment provided at the prison hospital; and that the authorities should ensure the safety of the ex-president in prison in general and provide him with appropriate medical care for the recovery period after the hunger strike.

Saakashvili has been on a hunger strike since his arrest on October 1. Authorities transferred him to the prison hospital on November 8. allegedly against his will. Saakashvili, his family, doctor and lawyers have repeatedly rejected the option, demanding instead his transfer to a civilian clinic, citing various risks, including psychological abuse by noisy inmates at Gldani Penitentiary who hold their own. ex-president personally responsible for the repression of criminal networks during his 2004-2013 mandate. Saakashvili asked the ECHR to be transferred to a civilian clinic.

The court prioritized the petition and asked both parties – Saakashvili and the justice ministry – to provide information to the court by November 24. The Court will then discuss the next steps.

The Strasbourg-based court also noted that the Georgian authorities’ failure to comply with the measure may result in a violation of Article 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights, involving the state’s obligation not to not hinder the right to individual petitions.

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