European Commission calls on Georgian Gov’t to release detained journalists, politicians and activists

The European Commission has called on the Georgian authorities to immediately release politicians, journalists and activists it considers to have been unjustly detained, while criticising what it described as efforts by the ruling Georgian Dream party to suppress political opposition and independent voices.

European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said recent developments, combined with legislative changes and earlier statements about banning opposition parties, raised serious concerns about the use of the judicial system for political purposes.

“These developments threaten fundamental freedoms, democratic pluralism and fair political competition,” Wigand said, adding that the Commission was monitoring the situation closely and would continue to follow the relevant proceedings.

“We are being very vocal about the actions of Georgian Dream aimed at suppressing the political opposition, journalists and activists. Unfortunately, they continue to restrict civic space,” he said.

Wigand called on the Georgian government to release those he described as unjustly detained and repeal what he called repressive legislation.

His remarks came on the same day that Formula TV presenter Vakho Sanaia was sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention over Facebook posts.