Frank Schwabe to the government: Georgia is heading in the wrong direction. I urge you to stop the violence, release those imprisoned for political reasons, and I especially want to highlight Mzia Amaghlobeli
"Georgia is heading in the wrong direction – this is today’s message," said German MP Frank Schwabe, a member of the German delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), during discussions on the recognition or rejection of the credentials of the Georgian delegation.
"Dear representatives of the current government in Georgia, the Council of Europe has always been a multilateral organization in Europe, with one main mission – to support countries on the path to more democracy, more human rights, and more rule of law. However, Georgia is taking a different path; it is heading in the wrong direction – that is today’s message. Georgia is moving towards lower democratic standards, fewer human rights, less respect for the rule of law and an independent judiciary, and further away from Europe. We are not only concerned, as noted in many reports, but we are also ready to act, and we are already taking action today. As also mentioned in the report, we will definitely return in April – you will see us here again with 100% certainty," Schwabe stated.
He expressed support for imposing certain conditions on the Georgian delegation and restricting their rights. Additionally, he called on the Georgian government to release all those imprisoned for political reasons.
"At the same time, I urge you to take action: Please stop the violence, hold accountable those who have truly committed crimes, and release those who have been imprisoned for political reasons. I especially want to highlight Mzia Amaghlobeli. I saw the video, and honestly, it is a joke – both the charges and the potential sentence," Schwabe said.
The German MP also spoke about the irregularities observed during Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October, emphasizing that "the only way out of this crisis is to hold elections."
"Take this seriously. We are not closing the door on you today, but we are giving you a very clear and serious warning – return to our European path, the path of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law," Schwabe concluded.
