Georgian authorities argue with opposition over political prisoners

An agreement on a system for holding parliamentary elections will be valid, provided the release of all political prisoners, oppositional activists have stated and gave a list of particular names. However, Georgian authorities have objected, arguing that the agreement assumes no particular prisoners.

The agreement of Georgian authorities with the opposition assumes not only the electoral system, but also the promise to release political prisoners and stop the ongoing prosecutions, Otar Kakhidze, a member of the "European Georgia" Party, has stated. According to his version, only in case of full realization of Georgian authorities' promises, the opposition will vote for the bill.

The release of political prisoners in Georgia is "a key component of our agreement," said Giorgi Vashadze, the chairman of the "New Georgia" Party, the "Rustavi-2" TV Company reports.

On March 9, more than 30 oppositional entities demanded to release political prisoners and refuse from political repression in the country.

There are no concrete decisions regarding the release of prisoners in Georgia, Archil Talakvadze, the Speaker of the Parliament, has stated. According to his version, the authorities and the opposition had agreed that neither party should use the judiciary system for political purposes.

On March 9, the Georgian NGO "Transparency International-Georgia" published a report stating that the Georgia judiciary had acted "in favour of the ruling party and was used as a tool for political repressions."