U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, on Monday, stated that “any decision regarding pardoning is solely up to President Zourabichvili, and I’m sure she takes all of the requests—such as those from the Helsinki Commission—into consideration in making her decisions.

Asked about the Helsinki Commission’s call for Nika Gvaramia’s [imprisoned Mtavari Arkhi TV chief] release, Degnan underscored that this is an organization that “has been a strong supporter of Georgia in its democratic development and its progress toward European integration”.

“The Helsinki Commission is a very well-respected organization that has a mandate from the United States Congress to monitor human rights around the world, including media freedom. They have been clear, as have many others, including our Embassy, on concerns about Mr. Gvaramia’s case, including the original charges, the timing of the charges, and then subsequently the conviction and decision. This is a letter from an organization that has been a friend of Georgia’s for a very long time, a strong supporter of Georgia in its democratic development and its progress toward European integration. Any decision regarding pardoning is solely up to President Zourabichvili, and I’m sure she takes all of the requests—such as those from the Helsinki Commission—into consideration in making her decisions,” she stated.