Azerbaijan, Baku, May 23 / Trend, S.Ahmedova /
The U.S. is closely following the cases of detentions and investigations of alleged abuse by former - abuses by former officials, Patrick Ventrell, Acting Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, said at a daily press briefing.
"We have stressed to the Georgian Government the importance of conducting such investigations and prosecutions with full respect for due process and avoiding the perception or reality of political retribution," Ventrell said.
He said the United States encourages all political actors to continue to work together constructively toward the shared goal of advancing Georgia's democratic and economic development and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Georgian officials - former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili and Ex-Health Minister Zurab Tchiaberashvili were detained on May 21.
The charges were filed several hours after the detention of Merabishvili and Tchiaberashvili.
Later Tchiaberashvili were released on bail.
The former government members are accused of corrupt practices, abuse of power and embezzlement of public funds. The investigation is being conducted under Article 164 (bribery of voters), Article 182, part 3 (embezzlement or misappropriation of funds by using the official position which entailed serious damage) and Article 332 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.