Saakashvili's supporters ask him to stop hunger strike

A doctor for former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said his condition is deteriorating ten days into a hunger strike that he started after being arrested when he returned to the country.

Following the doctor's statement, his supporters gathered in front of a prison in Rustavi. They asked the politician to stop the hunger strike during a live broadcast on the opposition Mtavari Arkhi TV.

Nika Gvaramia, Saakashvili's lawyer and director-general of the channel, said that if he did not receive medical treatment in the coming hours, the famine could lead to Saakashvili's death.

Gvaramia stressed he would meet with Mikheil Saakashvili in prison today. The lawyer said that everything possible would be done to save the life of the former head of state: "We need him alive, we don't need a memory of him."

The chairman of the United National Movement, Nikanor Melia, also said that Saakashvili should end the hunger strike.