The European Parliament adopted the resolution titled “The Case of Elene Khoshtaria and Political Prisoners under the ‘Georgian Dream’ Regime” with 438 votes in favor and 37 against.
According to the resolution:
The European Parliament “strongly condemns the politically motivated detention of Elene Khoshtaria and all other persons who have been targeted for exercising their freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, or peaceful protest. It also condemns the systematic criminal prosecution of political opponents, journalists, and activists by the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime.”
The European Parliament “condemns, according to received reports, the degrading and inhuman treatment used against Khoshtaria during her detention. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of her and of all other persons detained for politically motivated reasons. It calls for the immediate withdrawal of politically motivated charges against them. It expresses deep concern over the continued detention and deteriorating health condition of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who for more than four years has effectively been a political hostage of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.”
The European Parliament “calls for an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of ill-treatment of detained persons and abuse of national legislation.”
It also “calls for an independent and transparent investigation into credible reports of the use of chemical weapons against demonstrators. It expresses deep concern over the growing political, economic, and security influence of Russia, China, and Iran in Georgia, as confirmed by a large number of studies. It also expresses concern over the initiation of investigations against the authors of similar studies, in particular against Giorgi Kandelaki and Tinatin Khidasheli, authors of the Hudson Institute study. It urges the Georgian authorities to restore freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the right to independent research.”
The resolution “strongly condemns the continued adoption of restrictive legislation aimed at suppressing fundamental freedoms, political activity, civic protest, and dissenting opinions. It calls on the Georgian authorities to repeal these restrictive laws, to stop the use of pre-trial detention for purposes of political repression, and to ensure judicial independence and due process.”
The document “underlines that the existence of political prisoners is incompatible with the obligations undertaken by Georgia under the Association Agreement.”
The European Parliament “reaffirms its unwavering support for the Georgian people and their democratic European future. It calls on the Commission and Member States to provide support and protection to Georgian activists, journalists, and opposition figures at risk.”
The European Parliament “calls on the European Union and Member States to impose targeted sanctions, as well as visa bans within the EU, on representatives of the regime and individuals facilitating it who are responsible for politically motivated detentions, persecution, and violence against democratic opposition, dissidents, demonstrators, and journalists.”
