European Conservatives and Reformists Group calls for ‘immediate release’ of Saakashvili

European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) Group says they are ‘deeply concerned’ about the recent arrest of Georgian former president Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi and called on the Georgian government to ‘immediately release’ him. 

 

The statement says that Saakashvili was ‘fully entitled’ to return to his homeland ahead of the October 2 municipal elections in the country. 

 

“Allegations against him made by the ruling party in Georgia are unfounded. The people of Georgia have the full right to choose their leaders themselves. Politicians should be debating issues freely, not through sending letters from prison,” ECR says. 

 

They say that Saakashvili has an ‘impressive track record’ as a reformer of Georgia, having put his country on the democratic path.

 

“ It is obvious that Mr Saakashvili’s clear pro-European and pro-Transatlantic stances have ultimately led to the invasion of Georgia by authoritarian Russia, which tried to destroy the democratic spring in the country,” said the  statement. 

 

The ECR Group called upon the Georgian authorities to drop charges against Saakashvili before his release.