The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses a strong protest in connection with the inhumane treatment of Ukrainian citizen Mikheil Saakashvili, who is being held behind bars in Georgia.

In the worst traditions of the NKVD USSR the Georgian authorities apply psychological and physical violence to Mikheil Saakashvili, refuse to provide him with urgently needed medical assistance, deliberately creating a direct threat to his life.

The gross violation of human rights against the Ukrainian citizen goes against the declared course of Tbilisi towards the EU membership and is an evidence of democracy limiting in Georgia.

We call on the Georgian authorities to stop immediately abusing Mikheil Saakashvili and hand him over to Ukraine. Do not play with a person's life for political revenge.

We also appeal to foreign governments and international organizations to defend publicly the Ukrainian citizen, the former President of Georgia, whose life is in danger due to political repressions by the Georgian authorities.