(Read full article on civil.ge)

The US Embassy in Tbilisi on September 22 said that the “violent, seemingly politically motivated attacks” that took place yesterday in Dmanisi and Rustavi, “along with numerous reports of pressure and intimidation of opposition candidates across the country, raise serious doubts about the government’s commitment to a safe campaign and democratic elections. ”

Noting that violence is unacceptable during the election campaign, the embassy stressed that the government has a “primary responsibility” for creating an environment that provides free, fair and competitive elections that voters can trust.

“The Georgian government must redouble its efforts to ensure that candidates and their supporters can exercise their democratic rights to freedom of assembly and expression without the threat of intimidation, harassment or violence, and take active steps to hold accountable those who violate the terms elections ”.