EU Foreign Affairs Council to consider next week the imposition of additional sanctions against the authorities in Georgia over the trampling of the opposition protests. This was announced in a statement by the spokesperson of the European External Action Service, quoted by BTA.
Earlier this year, the EU suspended funding for Tbilisi, while Georgian authorities suspended accession talks.
„For nearly two weeks, the Georgian people have stood up for their democratic and European aspirations under the pressure of illegal and brutal use of force by the police while exercising their right to freedom of expression,“ the spokesman said. According to him, arbitrary detentions of protesters and opposition leaders continue, and media representatives are purposefully persecuted by both the authorities and violent groups.
The data indicates that more than 400 people have been detained and more than 300 have been injured, many of them needing urgent medical attention. The statement also reported cases of torture and inhumane treatment of protesters, while no police officers or members of violent groups were held accountable.
The European Union condemns these repressive actions against protesters, journalists and opposition leaders, demanding the immediate release of all detainees. The organization calls for an end to intimidation, political persecution, torture and ill-treatment of citizens. “Freedom of peaceful assembly and expression must be respected and protected in accordance with the Georgian constitution and international obligations,” is stated in the statement.
European institutions insist that all reports of torture be investigated and call on the ruling party “Georgian Dream” to calm the tension in the country. “Violence cannot be an answer to the demands of the Georgian people for a democratic and European future,” added the spokesman.
The negotiation process for Georgia's accession to the EU has effectively stalled, and the ongoing retreat from democracy threatens bilateral relations. On December 16, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss potential additional measures, the statement said.