Risch, Shaheen: Georgian Political Parties Must De-Escalate, Reengage in Negotiations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, today released the following statement on recent events in Georgia:

“We are deeply concerned by recent political developments in Georgia. The people of Georgia deserve to have rule of law, democracy, and an honest and independent judiciary. Over the past several years, we have raised the problem of political prosecutions with Georgian officials many times. While we are glad to see that opposition leader Nika Melia’s detention has been cancelled, such political prosecutions and arrests should never take place. All sides of the political spectrum must now return to the negotiating table and de-escalate the political atmosphere. We hope this political crisis will come to an end quickly and peacefully.”

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