UK Summons Georgian Diplomat Over Democratic Crackdown

The British government, on Monday, summoned Georgia's Charge d'Affaires, expressing grave concerns over the ruling Georgian Dream party's apparent crackdown on civil society and independent media.

This follows the imprisonment of prominent opposition leaders, which the UK's foreign office described as an effort to suppress freedoms and dissent in Georgia. The UK government has warned of further action if Georgia does not revert to respecting democratic principles and human rights.

Recently, Giorgi Vashadze, a leading opposition politician, was sentenced to seven months in jail, marking an intensified campaign against opposition figures following last year's protests and stalled EU membership talks.

(With inputs from agencies.)