EP resolution calls for release of convicted ex-pres. Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament on Tuesday adopted the resolution on the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, which calls for the release of convicted former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds, in a bid to receive “proper treatment” abroad.  

 

The resolution which was supported by 47, with five voting against and two abstaining, claimed that the move would also ease political polarization inside the country. 

 

In other notes, the document encouraged the domestic authorities to stop “politically motivated cases” and review ongoing criminal cases against media workers and owners or close family members of media outlets critical of the government.

In remarks over deoligarchisation – one of 12 conditions set by the European Commission in June for Georgia’s membership candidate status – the resolution had recommended the moves which would weaken the “excessive influence” of former prime minister and the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, on various fields in the country. 

MEP Sven Mikser, rapporteur on Georgia, said that the approval of the document by the committee  “sends a strong signal of political support for the European aspirations of the people of Georgia” 

“The report reiterates that in order to be granted EU candidate status, Georgia must successfully fulfill twelve main priorities set by the EU. The vast majority of people in Georgia support the European perspective, so it is necessary for political decision-makers to live up to people’s expectations,” says Mixer.

Saakashvili’s mother Giuli Alasania was attending the session in EP. 

The former president was arrested in Tbilisi last October after eight years in political exile. 

His family and lawyers claim that his health had deteriorated too much and is in “urgent need” to be transported abroad for treatment.