The US Congressman Frank R. Wolf: ‘I urge your government to release all political prisoners”

The US Congressman Frank R. Wolf sent a letter to Georgian Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili. 

"I am writing in connection with the case of Maia Topuria who was tied with 12 other defendants on charges  of trying to overthrow Georgia’s government, was convicted and has been serving her sentence since 2007...

Experts in the American legal community in addition to human rights groups have said the trial was characterized by a well-documented list of due process and rule-of-law violations. As the entire trial was closed to the public, there was no media present to report on the proceedings and provide the transparency requisite to a fair trial.

The most recent U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) August report on political prisoners in Georgia, and the Georgian Human Rights Report funded by the national Endowment for Democracy (NED) all mention this case among other human rights concerns facing Georgia.

Clearly, an independent judiciary that is transparent and open to public scrutiny is foundational for a fully functioning democracy. While some in Georgia claim that democracy takes time, the creation of an independent judiciary and release of political prisoners can be done quickly, if truly desired.

The Topuria case should be viewed as a key test of the progress that the Georgia is making toward reform of its judicial system. I urge your government to release all political prisoners and to work to ensure that Georgia moves toward a fair and independent judiciary."

For full text please click here