After reports about Saakashvili's fainting, oppositional MP goes on dry hunger strike

Bachuki Kardava, an MP from the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, who has been on a hunger strike for the sixth day in support of Mikhail Saakashvili, has refused to drink water after the third president of Georgia got into the intensive care unit. Two doctors' councils and the head of the Georgian Ministry of Public Health came to the conclusion that Saakashvili needed treatment in a civilian clinic.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 14, nine oppositional MPs went on a hunger strike in the building of the Georgian Parliament, demanding that Saakashvili be transferred to a civilian clinic.

On the 49th day of his hunger strike, Saakashvili lost consciousness; and now he is in the intensive care unit.

Irakli Kobakhidze, the leader of the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Movement" Party, has imposed responsibility for the MPs' actions on Saakashvili.

"Saakashvili is responsible for the health and life of the people who are now hunger-striking. He can stop the hunger strike," Mr Kobakhidze said on air of the "Imedi" TV Company.

"Saakashvili's health condition is extremely grave ... His attending physician lacks the necessary skills; we demand that Saakashvili be immediately transferred to a civilian clinic," Marika Djishkariani, the head of the NGO "Empathy", said on the "Formula" TV Channel.

Beka Davituliani, an MP from the "Georgian Dream" Party, said that the issue of Saakashvili's health had been politicized; and it is used as a tool to fight the authorities.