As Georgian Fulbrighters, we have had unique opportunities to learn, research, and work at the best American Universities and research institutions. Today we do our best to advance Georgia in various fields, ranging from computer science, medicine, business, law, education to music, fine arts, and others. We aspire to see our country - Georgia - uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, and be a proud member of the Euro-Atlantic community of States.

However, what we are witnessing today is contrary to all our expectations. We have different political preferences and sentiments towards the third President of Georgia - Mikheil Saakashvili. However, we are equally appalled by the blatant denial of a fair trial in his case and inhuman and degrading treatment against him.

President Saakashvili was arrested and has been under a hunger strike since October 1st, 2021. More than 35 days later, his medical condition deteriorated significantly. During this time, he was never presented to the court of law and was not given the opportunity to defend himself at a public hearing. Despite the calls from his lawyers, the Government of Georgia refused his medical treatment in an appropriate private multifunctional clinic, against the established practice.

The Public Defender and local human rights organizations raised serious concerns. If the former President were transferred to a prison medical facility instead of a private multifunctional clinic, he would face serious safety risks, including physical threats by other inmates. It was also confirmed that the prison medical facility could not provide needed medical treatment according to relevant medical standards. Human rights organizations assess the current treatment of the former President as inhuman and degrading treatment and an exemplary case of political discrimination.

We would like to kindly ask you to personally raise the issue of the third President of Georgia in your communication with the Government of Georgia and further support Georgia to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and human rights to the benefit of the Georgian people. 

Respectfully,