Georgia's imprisoned third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, has been "poisoned" by heavy metals and may run irreparable health damage or even death risk, his legal team said amid an international medical examination report.
A US-based clinical Toxicologist David E. Smith, who examined Mr Saakashvili amid claims he was poisoned and that his treatment may constitute deliberate health damage.
"To a reasonable degree of medical certainty" the toxic agents, including mercury and arsenic, were introduced after Saakashvili was jailed, Smith said.
The report also said Mr Saakashvili has been given medication without proper oversight.
The "increased risk of mortality is imminent" without adequate treatment, "which appears to have been denied or unavailable" in Georgia, Smith added.
Tengiz Tsuladze, a neurologist said Saakashvili "has lost more than 40 kilograms since his detention."
"Georgia's medical system has apparently exhausted all the available means for Saakashvili's treatment," he told Georgian media.
While confirming rapid deterioration of health over the last two months Saakashvili first denied poisoning, calling supporters to refrain from speculation. He later said if any such act occurred it would have been done by Russia.
Additionally, Mr. Smith also reiterated that the simultaneous administration of several drugs without approved indication carries a risk of dangerous side effects and dependence, concluding that Saakashvili’s drug consumption constitutes drug abuse, which includes a high risk of morbidity and mortality.
“The polypharmacy has produced brain dysfunction including white matter reduction in the prefrontal cortex which controls executive function in the brain and detoxification from these drugs is therefore necessary for proper brain recovery,” the report claims.
In conclusion, in his expert opinion, Smith argues that Saakashvili needs to be transferred to an appropriate facility for immediate medical evaluation and treatment.
President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, called for the immediate transfer of Georgia’s former president to an adequate medical facility.
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