Without any tangible commitments or concessions, including the release of all political prisoners, engagement with the Government of Georgia cannot and should not continue.” This statement was made by British MP Peran Moon at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

According to Moon, the UK government should play its role in sanctioning “dirty money” circulating in London and avoid accusations of complicity in the repression of the Georgian people.

“Friends, we must speak frankly about the situation in Georgia. The ruling party ‘Georgian Dream’ is systematically weaponizing the judicial system to target and suppress opposition parties and peaceful protesters.

State institutions, instead of acting as independent and impartial bodies, are being used to silence dissenting voices, suppress civic activism, and punish independent media through politically motivated persecution, censorship, and imprisonment.

The list of journalists, politicians, and civil society members who are currently imprisoned has grown longer. I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to four of them: Mzia Amaglobeli, a respected journalist; two protesters, Saba Jikia and Saba Sxvitaridze; and, of course, Elene Khoshtaria — a mother of four, seriously ill and deprived of the medical care she urgently needs.

Behind these names are dozens and dozens more. This Assembly must ensure that their voices continue to be heard across the continent. Repression must stop, all political prisoners must be released, and free and fair elections must be held.

In such an environment, it is essential that the UK government plays its role in sanctioning dirty money in London and avoids any accusations of complicity in the repression of the Georgian people.

It is absolutely essential that the Council of Europe learns from its past mistakes. The report states: ‘Dialogue should be based on a shared understanding that membership in the Council of Europe is a privilege that comes with rights and obligations. Therefore, without any tangible commitments or concessions, including the release of all political prisoners, engagement with the Government of Georgia cannot and should not continue.’ This is an important report, and I urge colleagues to support it,” Moon said.