The Tbilisi Appeals Courts’ decision to uphold the sentence of jailed Mtavari Arkhi TV Chief Nika Gvaramia today drew a response from the United States Embassy in Georgia.
The United States Embassy in Tbilisi noted in a Facebook post that at a time when Georgia’s commitment to an impartial judiciary and media pluralism is being “closely reviewed,” the continued imprisonment of Nika Gvaramia “puts at risk the clear choice of the people of Georgia – and Georgian leaders’ stated goal – for a more secure, democratic European future.”
The United States Embassy reiterates its “deep concern” regarding the Court’s decision in the case of Gvaramia, Iashvili, and Damenia.
“Numerous international and Georgian human rights defenders have raised significant questions about this case from the start, including about the timing and charges, as well as the conviction and sentence,” noted the Embassy.
“Even the perception of selective investigations, prosecutions, and convictions diminishes the public’s confidence in law enforcement, the prosecution, the courts, and the government itself,” added the Embassy.
The post underlined that the United States will continue to support media freedom and the judicial reforms which are “necessary to build the stable, prosperous democracy the people of Georgia have clearly said they desire.”
By Sophie Hodler
