Latvian Foreign Ministry: elections in Georgia can’t be considered free, democratic

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement criticizing Georgia’s 4 local October elections, declaring that a vote held amid the arrest of opposition leaders, pressure on independent media, and absence of international observation cannot be regarded as either free or democratic.

“Elections in which opposition leaders were detained, independent media and civil society were persecuted, and which were not subject to international observation by OSCE/ODIHR, cannot be called free or democratic,” the statement read.

The ministry called on the Georgian government to release all “unlawfully detained individuals” and urged calm and restraint among all parties.

“We call for peace and restraint and urge Georgian Dream to continue inclusive dialogue with the citizens of Georgia,” the statement concluded.