Austrian MEPs demand the release of Paata Burchuladze

Five Austrian MEPs, Helmut Brandstätter, Anna Stürgkh, Reinhold Lopatka, Lukas Mandl, and Andreas Schieder, have issued a statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of opera singer Paata Burchuladze. Helmut Brandstätter noted on social media that Europe must not turn a blind eye when democratic voices are being silenced. Publika+2

According to the MEPs, Burchuladze, who is a former UN Goodwill Ambassador, was arrested on politically motivated charges. The signatories state that Burchuladze has become a political prisoner of the Georgian Dream government. Publika

The statement says that the government is acting by following the example of Putin and Lukashenko, which is manifested in the crackdown on peaceful protesters and the attempt to ban opposition parties. The MEPs demand the release of all political prisoners in Georgia and for the government to stop the persecution of the opposition, civil society, and independent media. Publika