Adjarian Authorities Release Detained Election Observer

Election observer from the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) Giorgi Mshvenieradze, who was arrested by the Adjarian authorities, was released on December 7.

Giorgi Mshvenieradze, 21, was detained by the Adjara Autonomous Republic?s police on November 2, while he was monitoring the parliamentary elections in Kobuleti.

He was accused of hooliganism and deliberate attempts to impede elections at one of the precincts of Kobuleti. He was later sentenced to three-month pre-trail detention by the Adjara local court.

According to the human rights advocacy NGOs Giorgi Mshvenieradze was arrested when he noticed a case of ballot-stuffing.

Representatives of the Georgian civil society held series of meetings with the foreign diplomats in Georgia and urged them to mediate in releasing Giorgi Mshvenieradze.

Recently U.S. Deputy Assistant of U.S. Secretary of State Lynn Pascoe, held talks with the Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze in Batumi, Adjarian capital.

Giga Bokeria of Liberty Institute said that along with other issues, ?I am sure the U.S. official also discussed the case of illegal detention of Giorgi Mshvenieradze.?

?Giorgi Mshvenieradze was exercising his duties and rights as an observer and we hope that the Adjara court will be just,? Tina Khidasheli of GYLA says.

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