Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov.14 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
The European Parliament should examine the reasons for arrest of former ministers in Georgia, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said at a joint news conference with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Brussels.
"In my country - Germany, former ministers are not arrested. I refrain from assessing arrests in Georgia, as I intend to examine the situation. My assistants have already been instructed to examine the situation and submit their reports to me, following which I will make a statement," Schultz said
He said that some of his colleagues have already made statements, but it will hurry. According to Schultz, the situation in Georgia is "very important" for the EU.
Schultz called Georgia a "good partner" of the EU and expressed readiness to continue cooperation.
Former Georgian Interior and Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia, former chief of joint staff of Georgian armed forces Giorgi Kalandadze and brigade commander Zurab Shamatava are all accused of mistreating soldiers.
They are charged under part 3 of Article 333 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which includes abuse of power followed by 'an insult to the personal dignity of the victim.', which carries imprisonment from five to eight years.
Akhalaia had additional charges filed against him under article 143 namely 'illegal suppression of freedom'. This article carries imprisonment of up to 12 years.
All three detainees deny the charges.