On October 2, the US Embassy in Georgia responded to the Tbilisi Court of Appeals' decision to uphold the sentence of jailed Mtavari Arkhi TV Chief Nika Gvaramia by emphasizing that Gvaramia's continued imprisonment puts at risk the clear choice of the people of Georgia and Georgian leaders' stated goal for a more secure, democratic European future.

The US Embassy reaffirmed its deep concern over the Court's ruling while pointing out that numerous international and Georgian human rights advocates have raised significant questions about this case from the start, including the timing and charges, as well as the conviction and sentence.

"The public's trust in law enforcement, the prosecution, the courts, and the government itself is reduced, even by the perception of selective investigations, prosecutions, and convictions," the Embassy stated.

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