A British paratrooper hero has been released from a Georgian prison after paying a fine and legal fees totaling approximately £60,000. Former sergeant Matthew Desmond, 49, spent three months in Gldani Prison after being arrested for possessing medication for a spinal injury sustained during service in Afghanistan.
Desmond used his life savings to cover the £28,200 fine and over £30,000 in legal fees. He pleaded guilty to importing narcotics and received a 20-year ban from entering Georgia. He was escorted away by immigration authorities for deportation following his release.
He had declared the medication, which included buprenorphine, codeine, and pregabalin, upon crossing the Turkish border on his motorbike and presented a prescription. Despite this, he was detained and reportedly received painkillers only every other day. His friends expressed concern that he experienced drug withdrawal and significant pain during the initial weeks of his detention, exacerbated by language barriers with prison staff.
Friends and family worked for eight days after his arrest on April 23 before locating him, causing considerable distress. "We did not know if he was still alive or where he was until the first of May," said James Sawyer, a friend who has known Desmond since childhood. "It's an awful amount of time for the family and his friends to not know if he's alive."
Desmond, who served in 2PARA from 1995 until his retirement in 2018 and saw service in Iraq and Afghanistan, was able to watch England's World Cup semi-final match during his incarceration. Upon entering court for his release, he reportedly quipped, "F*** Argentina."
He celebrated his newfound freedom with a McDonald's Big Mac outside the courthouse, accompanied by his lawyer and friends. "I’m just glad to get out," Desmond stated. "I’m amazed that everyone helped. I’ll make a formal statement as soon as possible."
His sister, Claire-Louise Rough, who was instrumental in securing his release, spoke with him as he began his journey back to Nottingham. A GoFundMe page established to support Desmond has raised approximately £5,000, with supporters expressing gratitude for the public's willingness to assist veterans.
Gldani Prison has a history of serious allegations, including reports of torture and assault. However, a more recent report indicated improvements and a reduction in overcrowding and mistreatment.