Canada has responded to the detention of Zurab Japaridze, leader of Georgia’s opposition party ‘Girchi – More Freedom’, pointing out bigger concerns over the country’s democratic decline.
“The Canadian Foreign Ministry is aware of the arrest of Mr. Zurab Japaridze in Georgia,” officials told Formula. The ministry raised alarm over ‘recent democratic backsliding,’ emphasizing “reports of intimidation of peaceful protesters and the detention of political and civil society activists.”
Canada reinforced its commitment to democratic development in Georgia, declaring: “We support efforts to strengthen Georgia’s democratic institutions and improve respect for human rights.”
