Pawel Herczynski: EU stands on principles: freedom of assembly, speech and expression

“EU stands on principles. The most important principles are freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” said EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski.

The Ambassador was asked to remark on the verdict against Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Lelo-Strong Georgia party.

According to the Ambassador, this is a matter for the judiciary, not for him to comment on.

“As for the question regarding the verdict. This is a matter for the judiciary, not for me to comment on. What I can comment on is that the EU stands on principles. The most important principles are: freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of expression. These are fundamental principles that every country that wants to join the EU must adhere to,” Pawel Herczynski said.

Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Lelo-Strong Georgia coalition, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for an attempted terrorist act relating to a November 29 incident.