With 438 votes in favor, 37 against, and 81 abstentions,the European Parliament, on March 12, adopted a Resolution on Georgia titled “The Case of Elene Khoshtaria and Political Prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime.”

According to the Resolution, the EP condemns “politically motivated” arrests in Georgia, demanding the release of detainees, and calling for targeted sanctions for those responsible for “politically motivated arrests, prosecutions and violence against the democratic opposition, dissidents, protestors and journalists.”

The resolution also condemns “the degrading and inhuman treatment reportedly inflicted on Khoshtaria during detention,” demanding her “immediate and unconditional release,” as well as the release of others detained for “politically motivated reasons” or for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental rights, calling for the “immediate withdrawal of politically motivated charges against them.”

The EP expresses deep concern about the continued detention and deteriorating health of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been “a political hostage of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili for more than four years.”

In addition, the European Parliament calls for “an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of ill-treatment in custody and the abuse of national security legislation.” It also urges an independent and transparent probe into reports “regarding the use of chemical weapons against protestors.”

The EP expresses serious concern over expanding “political, economic and security footprint” of Russia, China, and Iran in Georgia, as confirmed in numerous reports.” It “expresses outrage” that investigations have been launched against the authors of such reports, including Giorgi Kandelaki, a research author at the Hudson Institute, and Tina Khidasheli, former defense minister and head of the Civic Idea think tank.

Based on the Resolution, the EP condemns “the continued adoption of restrictive legislation and urges Georgian authorities to repeal such laws and “cease using pre-trial detention for political repression, and ensure judicial independence and due process.” It stresses the existence of “political prisoners” is incompatible with Georgia’s obligations under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

According to the document, the EP reaffirms the European Parliament’s “unwavering support for the Georgian people and their commitment to a democratic European future.” It “encourages” the European Commission and EU member states to “support and provide protection to Georgian activists, journalists and opposition figures at risk.”

The European Parliament calls on the EU and its member states to impose targeted sanctions as well as an EU-wide visa ban, on “representatives of the regime and its enablers responsible for politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, and violence against the democratic opposition, dissidents, protestors and journalists.”