"Targeting people for exercising their freedom of expression and fundamental rights undermines justice, democracy, and the rule of law in Georgia," reads a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Georgia.

The statement notes that representatives of the U.S. Embassy and other members of the diplomatic corps attended court hearings for Georgian citizens who were allegedly beaten or subjected to violence by police during their detention or imprisonment.

"Targeting people for exercising their freedom of expression and fundamental rights undermines justice, democracy, and the rule of law in Georgia," the statement emphasizes.