23:30, 21 February 2011

Georgia holds picket in support of political prisoners

Today, activists of the youth movement "Ara" (No) and the NGO named "Homeland, Language, Faith" held a sit-down rally in front of the US Embassy in Tbilisi, urging diplomats to help in releasing those convicted on political grounds.

As stated by Levan Chitadze, one of the leaders of the "Ara", at a briefing held in front of the Embassy, they had addressed the US Ambassador John Bass asking him for any help in releasing the "illegal detainees", since the stand of the US official could be a certain signal to Georgian authorities.

"The United States will be of great help to us, if the Ambassador fixes his clear position on politically-motivated persecution. The fact that Georgia has political prisoners was registered by many international organizations, including the Human Rights Watch," said Chitadze.

The young oppositionists plan to hold the next action of this sort on February 23 at the European Union's mission in Georgia, the "News-Georgia" reports.