Strasbourg, 22/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 21 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle took careful note of the arrests and detention on 21 May of the former prime minister of Georgia, current Secretary General of the United National Movement, Vano Merabishvili, and the former Georgian health minister, and current Governor of Kakheti, Zurab Chiaberashvili, their spokespersons stated in a press release. “The European Union will closely follow the legal proceedings against them, which it expects to be fair, transparent and independent, in full accordance with international standards”, the spokespersons said.
Welcoming the European statement, Georgia's Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, wanted to reassure the EU. “We will ensure against any political influence in the ongoing judicial processes”, he stated in a press release. He said he was convinced that “the relevant government agencies will make an all-out effort to ensure that the processes related to each case fully comply with international standards and procedures established under Georgian legislation”.
The former ministers were arrested and charged with corruption. (CG/transl.fl)