Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili claimed that the conditions in the prison where he is held are severe, that he is kept in a long-term solitary cell, and that phone calls are restricted.
Modern.az reports that he stated this in an interview with "Georgia Online" publication.
According to Saakashvili, he is kept in a small, dark, cockroach-infested, and poorly ventilated cell. The ex-president stated that instead of a toilet, a sanitary device called "chechma" is used in the cell, and other political prisoners are also kept in similar conditions.
The former president noted that on October 1, it will be five years since his arrest. According to his claim, keeping him in solitary confinement for such a long period is considered torture and inhumane treatment according to international norms.
Saakashvili also stated that the prison is located near a cement plant in Rustavi, which, according to his claim, belongs to billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. He claimed that prisoners are constantly exposed to cement dust, which makes breathing difficult.
According to Saakashvili, although the law allows it, he has been deprived of the right to make phone calls for a long time, and only recently was he allowed to speak with his daughter Alisa for a few minutes a week.
Saakashvili added that he is not allowed to meet with the Ukrainian consul, receive printed publications and video materials from Ukraine, and his lawyers are not allowed to bring him photos of his children and grandchild.
He also said that attempts by international, government, and parliamentary delegations to meet with him have been repeatedly rejected.
"They treat me like a prisoner of war, but they don't comply with the Geneva Convention," Saakashvili said. He claimed that he was subjected to torture and poisoning at the beginning of his arrest, emphasizing that all of this was aimed at breaking his will.
