The imprisonment of the former president and the founder of the "United National Movement" Mikheil Saakashvili is a clear example of political justice used for revenge and political retribution, in a country that wants to join the European Union. This violates the European standard of the rule of law and democracy, Tina Bokuchava, the chairman of the "United National Movement", said during her speech at the political council of the EPP.

According to her, on October 26 important elections in Georgia are waiting and he hopes that delegations of OSCE/ODIR or different parliamentary assemblies will participate in observation missions in different formats."Today is my first speech as the chairman of the "United National Movement". The previous chairman had to resign due to injuries sustained during the government's widespread violence against political opponents and civil society leaders. Public protest was caused by the initiation of the Kremlin law on "transparency of foreign influence". Regarding this law, the European leaders clearly stated that the law represents an obstacle in the way of Euro-Atlantic development of Georgia. Georgian people expressed a clear protest, including on the street.

I proudly represent Georgia and "United National Movement". I would like to congratulate the European People's Party on its great result in the European Parliament elections. Together we are stronger and Georgia will be stronger as a member of the European Union. We are glad that at the meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg, it was again announced that the door of the European Union remains open to Georgia and that the Georgian people deserve a place of the month in Europe. But Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration is threatened by the government led by billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.

I should also mention that the former president and founder of the "United National Movement" Mikheil Saakashvili remains a political prisoner. Politically motivated charges have been brought against him. His imprisonment is a clear example of political justice used for revenge and political retribution in a country that wants to join the European Union. This violates the European standard of rule of law and democracy.

I urge you all to keep an eye on Georgia, where important elections await us on October 26. We hope that many of you, in different formats - be it OSCE/ODIHR delegations or delegations of various parliamentary assemblies - will be involved in observation missions, so that the will of the people, Georgia's Euro-Atlantic future can be preserved and protected together," said Tina Bokuchava.