Mikheil Saakashvili’s condition has seriously deteriorated in recent days. He can barely walk but does not intend to end the hunger strike, his personal physician Nikoloz Kipshidze said on 10 October.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was detained on October 1 after returning to Georgia and imprisoned in Rustavi, where he went on a hunger strike and promised to continue until his release. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili ruled out his pardon. On October 9, Saakashvili appealed to the international community with a complaint about the delay in the consideration of his cases in court. The politician suggested that he was being deliberately held in isolation in anticipation of the second round of municipal elections.

On October 2, voting took place in Georgia in the elections of mayors and deputies of local assemblies. In Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Poti, Batumi and 15 other cities of Georgia, the second round of elections is scheduled, as the respective mayoral candidates did not receive the required number of votes.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Saakashvili has a blood disease, thalassemia (a hereditary genetic disease), the doctor said. "This is not a fatal disease, but he is categorically prohibited from starving. I will meet with him tomorrow, I think we will transfer him to the hospital," Kipshidze added.

According to the doctor, Saakashvili, despite the deterioration of his condition, refused to end the hunger strike.