We condemn not only the arrests of opposition politicians, but also the closure of civil society space, - said Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories.

According to the British Minister, he has conveyed his concerns to the Georgian Dream over the past few weeks and will do so again.

“The Georgian people have made their Euro-Atlantic aspirations clear and we completely condemn not only these arrests of opposition politicians, but also the closure of civil society space. I have conveyed my concerns directly to the Georgian Dream over the past few weeks and we will do so again,” Doughty said.

British Minister Doughty’s response followed a question from MP Mark Pritchard (Conservative Party):

“Gvaramia, Japaridze, Khazaradze, Japaridze and Vashadze – six opposition leaders have been arrested in Georgia in the last two weeks. What is the UK government going to do about this? And what is the UK government’s message to the Georgian people who are experiencing this huge democratic setback?”