“We strongly condemn the politically motivated arrests and imprisonments of opposition party leaders, which are clearly aimed at suppressing political opposition in Georgia just a few months before local elections,” reads a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, along with the High Representative of the European Union.

According to the statement, the political repressions carried out by the Georgian authorities have led to a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, including restrictions on aid and cooperation.

“We, the foreign ministers of European democratic countries, are concerned and deeply troubled by the deteriorating situation in Georgia.

We strongly condemn the politically motivated arrests and imprisonments of opposition party leaders, which are clearly aimed at suppressing political opposition in Georgia just a few months before local elections.

These detentions, as well as the arbitrary arrests and increasing repression against those critical of the Georgian authorities, civil society representatives, peaceful protesters, and independent journalists, contribute to the erosion of democracy in Georgia and the country’s rapid transformation into an authoritarian system, which contradicts European values and norms. Recent legislative changes are aimed at suppressing independent civil society and legitimate protests.

The political repressions carried out by the Georgian authorities have led to a significant deterioration in our bilateral relations, including restrictions on aid and cooperation with the Georgian authorities. Today, the authoritarian and anti-European course of the Georgian authorities poses an even greater threat to the country’s democratic achievements and its relations with our countries.

We will continue to expose the anti-democratic actions and human rights violations by the Georgian authorities and are prepared to use the mechanisms at our disposal if the Georgian authorities continue to undermine the country’s democracy and respect for human rights.

It is still possible to change course. We call on the Georgian authorities to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists, and activists, repeal repressive legislation, and engage in a national dialogue with all relevant parties to find a way out of the current situation,” the statement reads.