US Helsinki Commission slams Georgian Gov’t as “illegitimate regime aligned with Russia”

Members of the bipartisan US Helsinki Commission issued a strong statement of support for the Georgian people on the eve of the 150th consecutive day of nationwide protests, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of suppressing democracy and aligning the country with authoritarian regimes.

“Tomorrow marks the 150th consecutive day of peaceful demonstrations in Georgia, an extraordinary expression of Georgians’ enduring commitment to freedom and independence for their country. We are proud to stand with the Georgian people as they refuse to surrender their democratic aspirations to an illegitimate regime, ” the Commission stated.

The statement, signed by Chairman Senator Roger Wicker, Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson, Ranking Members Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Steve Cohen, Representative Richard Hudson, and Senator John Cornyn, criticizes Georgian Dream for “cracking down on opposition parties, the media, and peaceful demonstrators.” The lawmakers warned that Georgia is drifting away from the transatlantic community and toward repressive alliances with Russia, China, and Iran.

They called on Western allies to act decisively: “We call on our transatlantic partners to join us in demanding new free and fair elections and the release of all political prisoners in Georgia. Failure to act would not only betray the hopes and dreams of millions of Georgians, but also greatly diminish the possibility of a free, secure, and prosperous South Caucasus.”