In view of Sunday’s violent attack on the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party in Georgia, European People’s Party (EPP) President Joseph Daul made the following statement: “I strongly condemn the outrageous, politically-motivated violence targeted at UNM leaders, members and MPs outside a polling station in the village of Kortskheli during the local by-elections. The attack is another example of widespread abuses committed against the UNM opposition. I wish all the injured a quick recovery,” said President Daul. “Prosecution and intimidation of the opposition is absolutely unacceptable and does not comply with European standards. Perpetrators of previous attacks on opposition offices have not been sanctioned in any meaningful way. The Georgian government must immediately address the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice. There should be no place for impunity”, stressed the EPP President. “I remain deeply concerned by the current dangerous trend of systematic violence and ongoing attacks on the freedom of the press and the judiciary system. The government must assure democratic principles and the rule of law. The current actions not only violate international standards and the rule of law, but above all jeopardize electoral environment ahead of 2016 parliamentary elections and Georgia’s path towards European integration”, concluded the EPP President.


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Alexandra Henman

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Angelos Athanasopoulos

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