In Georgia, another opposition politician has been arrested. Nika Melia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, the country's largest opposition movement, is accused of misconduct towards a police officer and must appear in court.
Last week, another leader, Zurab Japaridze, was arrested and remains in pre-trial detention for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary investigation into alleged crimes under former President Saakashvili's rule (2004-2013). Melia had anticipated his arrest for similar reasons.
Georgia, once considered one of the most democratic and pro-Western former Soviet republics, has seen increasing authoritarianism under the ruling Georgian Dream party, which critics say is aligning closer to Russia. The party's disputed election win last year sparked protests, during which Melia was previously arrested in February.
The government has postponed EU accession talks until at least 2028, despite constitutional goals for EU membership, while also seeking to improve relations with Moscow.
