Saakashvili's Mother Reveals His Prison Conditions and Ongoing Ties to Ukraine

Conditions of Mikheil Saakashvili's Detention

According to Главком: Giuli Alasania, the mother of Mikheil Saakashvili-the imprisoned former president of Georgia and ex-governor of Ukraine's Odesa region-shared details in an interview with LB.ua about her son's living conditions, health, and interests. Confined to a solitary cell for 23 hours each day, Saakashvili has limited access to outside information but remains keenly interested in global events, especially developments in Ukraine.

Alasania noted that visits with her son occur only once a month through a glass barrier, with conversations conducted via a monitored phone line. During these brief interactions, Saakashvili can express his thoughts and concerns.

“We talk the least about health,” she said, emphasizing that their discussions focus on other topics.

“His heart aches for you. He absolutely adores Ukraine, considers it his homeland, and is deeply upset that he cannot actively help and be involved during such a difficult time,” Giuli Alasania conveyed her son's words.

Health Concerns and Detention Conditions

The conditions of Saakashvili's imprisonment are causing alarm. He has restricted access to information, and according to his mother, inmates at Correctional Facility No. 12-where he is held-breathe in cement dust because the prison is located next to a cement plant. Saakashvili is allowed only one hour of exercise daily in a small enclosed yard. Lawmakers and independent doctors are not permitted to see him; only his lawyers and family can visit once a month.

Despite these harsh circumstances, Saakashvili maintains contact with Ukraine. In an April interview, he stated that he had secured access to several Ukrainian TV channels and actively communicates with Ukrainian officials. Giuli Alasania confirmed that Saakashvili stays in touch with President Zelenskyy through his office and is friends with Mykhailo Podolyak and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Her remarks are supported by data showing that around 300,000 residents of Kyiv and Odesa visit Saakashvili's social media page daily.

Saakashvili's health is a growing concern. After being poisoned with heavy metals in 2022, he now takes about ten different medications daily. In November 2025, he appealed to Zelenskyy to include him in a list of civilian prisoners for exchange, signaling his desire to return to Ukraine during this critical period.

The case of Mikheil Saakashvili underscores the challenges political figures face amid conflict and political tension. His detention under these conditions not only raises concerns in Ukraine but also attracts international attention, as his ongoing connection with Ukrainian authorities highlights his significance in the country's political landscape. These events could influence future diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Georgia, given Saakashvili's importance as a political figure in both nations.