Latvian FM condemns 'politically motivated' arrests in Georgia

Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has strongly condemned the recent arrests and sentencing of opposition leaders in Georgia, calling the actions politically motivated and incompatible with democratic values.

“Latvia strongly condemns politically motivated arrests and sentencing of opposition leaders in Georgia. These actions are incompatible with democratic principles. We stand in solidarity with Georgian people in their strive for a democratic and pluralistic Georgia,” Braže stated on social media.

Her remarks follow a wave of court decisions in Tbilisi that have drawn sharp international criticism. On June 27, Nika Melia, co-founder of the opposition Ahali party, was sentenced to eight months in prison for refusing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission. Opposition groups have widely questioned the commission’s legitimacy.

Earlier, on June 24, Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, received a seven-month sentence on the same grounds. On June 23, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, leaders of the Lelo – Strong Georgia movement, were both sentenced to eight months in prison, as was Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze of the Coalition for Change.