Lithuania condemns detention of Georgian opposition leader Melia

Lithuania has condemned the detention of Georgian opposition figure Nika Melia, calling on the ruling Georgian Dream party to end what it described as "ongoing repression" against civil society and the political opposition.

In a statement shared on social media, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over what it saw as a deteriorating political climate in Georgia.

"We condemn the detention of Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, and we demand that the Georgian Dream party stop the ongoing repression against civil society and the opposition in Georgia," the ministry said."We express our solidarity with the Georgian people who defend European values."

Melia's detention follows his refusal to attend a parliamentary inquiry into alleged crimes under former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s time. During a courtroom appearance, Melia was ejected after throwing water at the judge.