Helsinki Commission urges Georgian gov't to release UNM Chair Nika Melia
Helsinki Commission urges Georgian gov't to release UNM Chair Nika Melia
11:05, 24.02.2021

Following the February 23 detention of Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia by authorities, Helsinki Commission leaders Rep. Alcee Hastings, Sen. Roger Wicker, Rep. Joe Wilson, and Sen. Ben Cardin urged the Georgian government to “release Nika Melia, deescalate the crisis, and recommit to dialogue rather than aggression.”


“As a participating State of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Georgia has committed to respecting democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law. Storming the headquarters of an opposing political party and arbitrarily detaining its leader is not in keeping with democratic progress. We urge the Government of Georgia to release Nika Melia, deescalate the crisis, and recommit to dialogue rather than aggression,” the joint statement reads.

The riot police detained the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party leader Nika Melia at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday morning.



By - Marika Kartozia

Politics
Nika Melia's arrest
The U.S. Helsinki Commission
US Senators
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