The European People’s Party (EPP) is calling for the release of Giorgi Baramidze, one of the leaders of the United National Movement.

In a statement, the European People’s Party said it “expresses deep concern over the politically motivated detention of another leader of the United National Movement, Giorgi Baramidze, who has been an active advocate of Georgia’s European aspirations for many years.”

“His personal contribution to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, which he consistently pursued both while in government and in opposition, is well known to the EPP. We call on the Georgian authorities to end the political persecution of the pro-Western opposition and release Giorgi Baramidze and other political prisoners in Georgia,” the European People’s Party said in its statement.