Georgia withdraws its delegation from PACE in response to resolution on political prisoners

The Georgian authorities have decided to withdraw their delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), following the adoption of a controversial resolution by the Assembly.

The decision was announced during a session of the Georgian parliament's bureau, Caliber.Az, reports, citing Georgian media.

"We expect the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to return to its fundamental values, which are based on respect for democracy and sovereignty," said the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, during the bureau session.

The Georgian delegation to PACE includes Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Tea Tsulukiani, MPs Givi Mikanadze, Mariam Lashkh, Eka Sepashvili, as well as substitute parliamentarians Levan Machavariani, Rati Ionatamishvili, and Zviad Shalamberidze. They have already made a formal request to the President of PACE, Theodoros Roussopoulos.

On January 29, PACE adopted a resolution recognizing the credentials of the Georgian delegation, but with the condition that new parliamentary elections be held in the country by April and "political prisoners" be released.

The rights of the Georgian delegation will be limited, and its powers will be reviewed in April. The head of the delegation, Tea Tsulukiani, stated that Georgia will cease its participation in PACE in response to this decision.

By Khagan Isayev