The former ambassadors of the USA to Georgia called on the Georgian government to give the imprisoned, weakened ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili the opportunity for necessary treatment based on humanitarian considerations. The former US ambassadors warned the Georgian government about possible negative geopolitical results stemming from Saakashvili's continuous imprisonment.

William Courtney, Ian Kelly, Richard Miles, John Tefft, and Kenneth Yalowitz, in a joint statement published on July 10, identified as a problem the fact that Saakashvili is at risk of death in custody. They cite the assessments of international human rights organizations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, that Saakashvili's life is in danger and the conclusion of Georgian experts that Mikheil Saakashvili needs treatment abroad.

The statement of the former ambassadors also touches upon the resolution adopted by the European Parliament, calling for the release of Saakashvili and the demarche of the EU member states. It also mentions the last statement of Ukrainian President Zelensky, after which Kyiv demanded the Georgian ambassador leave the country and return to Tbilisi for consultations about Ukrainian citizen Mikheil Saakashvili.

The former ambassadors also note that the European Court of Human Rights did not satisfy Saakashvili's request to be transferred to Poland for treatment, so they believe that Polish doctors should be allowed to examine him in Georgia in the near future.

According to former US ambassadors, Georgian leaders and officials responsible for the brutal treatment of Mikheil Saakashvili could be subject to tough sanctions under the US law, the Magnitsky Act, which gives the president the power to impose economic and visa sanctions against any foreigner found guilty of human rights abuses or corruption. 

The former ambassadors emphasize that the cooperation between the governments of Georgia and the USA may be in danger. In addition, according to their assessment, this crisis seriously threatens the prospect of Georgia joining the European Union and NATO.

"Georgian leaders and officials responsible for the mistreatment of Saakashvili could be subject to severe sanctions under the Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. It gives the president the power to impose economic sanctions and bar entry to the US against anyone involved in human rights abuses or corruption. Other cooperation between the governments of Georgia and the US may be in jeopardy.

This crisis threatens Georgia's prospects of joining the European Union and NATO. The country has the opportunity to get closer to NATO and to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership, which Ukraine and Moldova have received. The majority of Georgians support these aspirations. Improper treatment of Saakashvili can further distance Georgia from the West and not bring it closer," the letter states.

William Courtney, Ian Kelly, Richard Miles, John Tefft, and Kenneth Ialovitz say that the mistreatment of Saakashvili will alienate Georgia from the West, and if he dies in prison, the sanctions will become much more severe and real. The former ambassadors call on the Georgian government to provide the necessary care for Saakashvili.