Georgian Media, citing the announcement of Georgian Interior Ministry, reports that recent series of arrests of individuals affiliated to political parties were made in response to specific incidents number of which increased following the prison abuse scandal.
Local watchdog groups have said that series of arrests of more than twenty politically active individuals, among them activists from the Georgian Dream opposition coalition, mainly for alleged administrative offenses, as well as shortcomings revealed in legal proceedings undertaken in at least several of these cases, raise suspicion that these detentions were politically motivated.
“None of the detentions are politically motivated, but were responses to specific incidents. Police will continue to enforce the law and ensure that all Georgians and political parties can campaign in a peaceful and secure environment,” the Interior Ministry said.
As reported, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, Riccardo Migliori, also expressed concern over arrests of opposition activists in lead up to the elections.
