Jim Risch, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has responded to the verdict delivered against Giorgi Rurua, co-founder of the Mtavari TV. In response to a question asked by VOA's Georgian service, the Senator said the judiciary should not be used for political purposes.

"I'm very concerned about Mr Giorgi Rurua's verdict on the fictitious charges. The judiciary should never be used for political purposes.

Ahead of the elections, in the interests of depolarization of the political climate, Salome Zourabichvili should pardon Mr. Rurua, as she did in the cases of Giorgi Ugulava and Irakli Okruashvili.

I am very happy that necessary changes have been made to the electoral system of Georgia and I expect to see free and fair elections in October. However, the elections will be free and fair only if the political parties are able to act freely, without the fear of political persecution," the Senator was quoted as saying by VOA's Georgian service.