Lithuania slams political 'repressions' in Georgia, urges sanctions

Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as escalating political repression in Georgia, following the imprisonment of several opposition leaders over the past week.

“Strongly condemn repressions in Georgia, with more opposition leaders arrested each day. Georgian Dream's actions violate the fundamental principles on which the EU's relationship with Georgia is built. Politically persecuted activists must be released; those implicated must face sanctions,” the Ministry said in a statement posted on social media.

The remarks come amid growing international concern over a series of controversial court rulings in Tbilisi. On June 27, Nika Melia, co-founder of the Ahali party and a prominent opposition figure, was sentenced to eight months in prison for refusing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission, whose legitimacy is widely contested by opposition groups.

Just days earlier, on June 24, Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, received a seven-month sentence under similar circumstances. On June 23, Lelo – Strong Georgia leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze were both sentenced to eight months in prison, along with Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze of the Coalition for Change.