The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is demanding the release of Paata Burchuladze. The British newspaper The Guardian has published the relevant statement.

In particular, the Royal Opera House is calling on the Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, to intervene in the case of Paata Burchuladze.

In a letter to the British prime minister, the Royal Opera’s director of casting, Peter Katona, claimed that Burchuladze was “being punished as a warning to others who dare oppose the regime”.

He wrote: “I am writing to draw your urgent attention to the situation of the world-renowned Georgian opera singer and our dear friend Paata Burchuladze, who is currently held in pre-trial detention and is under the criminal investigation by the pro-Russian, authoritarian regime in Georgia.

“The charges brought against Mr Burchuladze are entirely fabricated and unlawful. He is being persecuted solely because of his critical stance toward the ruling regime.”

“Unfortunately, Paata Burchuladze is now among more than 100 political prisoners in Georgia. During recent peaceful demonstrations, more than 500 people were arrested, and more than 300 reported torture and ill treatment.

“Your attention and solidarity would mean a great deal to the people of Georgia, who are striving to preserve freedom, human rights, and their democratic future,” Katona said.