MEPs concerned on Georgian former PM’s detention conditions
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are concerned over the detention conditions of Secretary General of the presidential party United National Movement Vano Merabishvili.
MEPs made this statement on Wednesday after visiting Georgian former prime minister in Tbilisi Prison No 9.
Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Defence and Security Arnaud Danjean, Krzysztof Lisek, Pawel Kowal, Ana Gomes and Teresa Riera Madurell personally viewed Merabishvili's detention conditions.
Danjean told the journalists after the meeting that they are concerned that the prisoner is not allowed to meet with his family members, and they solicit for the Georgian government to permit such a meeting.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction that communication opportunities of the opposition party leader are limited.
"It is obvious that the arrest is of political character, and we hope that the court will be objective towards Merabishvili," Danjean said.
Krzysztof Lisek stressed the political motivation of Merabishvili's arrest and called the new Georgian authorities for objectivity.
Merabishvili had a phone conversation with Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule on July 12 and Vice President of the European Parliament Jacek Protasiewicz visited him on July 11.